CAIRO, (AP) – The former U.N. nuclear chief turned Egyptian reform advocate has strongly condemned the beating of one of his supporters, allegedly by State Security agents.
Mohamed ElBaradei said in a statement received by The Associated Press Thursday that a beating of one of his supporters is a violation of international law. He said the reformists would not be terrorized.
Taha Abdel-Tawab was called in for questioning by security in the oasis province of Fayoum on Sunday for organizing a rally for ElBaradei.
Abdel-Tawab was beaten and locked up for hours before being released, said his lawyer Mostafa Mahmoud. He later went on a hunger strike demanding justice.
ElBaradei, a Nobel laureate, is seen by supporters as a potential challenger to President Hosni Mubarak.