Egyptian protester: I thought I was going to die

Woman who was beaten, undressed by security forces during Cairo clashes recalls horrific experience, says highly publicized image of her half-naked body is 'immoral'

Roi Kais|Published: 12.19.11 , 22:58

Hosni Mubarak has been ousted form power, but violence against protesters has continued to surge – one of the more disturbing images that came out of media outlets in Egypt this week has been that of a young woman who was beaten and dragged on the road, half naked by Egyptian security forces.

The women, political activist Rada Kamal Abdel Khalek, who is a member of April 6 opposition movement, recalled the difficult experience on Sunday, telling Egyptian media how she was brutally attacked while participating in a demonstration.

"When I tried to escape, four soldiers grabbed me and beat me, pulling my hair until I fell on the floor. Another soldier tore off my clothes, which was the reason my picture was published on all websites and some newspapers – which is a highly immoral image," she said.

Al Halek said she was taken into a building nearby, and was held there, naked. "I thought I was going to die in this place," she recalled. When she pleaded with a doctor to help her, al Halek said an officer told her "I'll shoot you if you leave."

The Egyptian woman said she gave her testimony at the police to prove that she was tortured, adding that she intends to go to court.

Meanwhile, activists on social networks called on Egyptian women to take part in a demonstration against the attacks on women during the latest clashes in Cairo.