WATANI International
12 June 2011
Watani visited First Lieutenant Ahmed Sami in his hospital room at the Police Hospital in Agouza. We were among a group from the Maspero Youth Union and a number of Copts who came with roses and gifts.
With Samy was his fiancée who had never left him a moment since he was admitted to hospital. “Thank you all,” he said. “I am now much better and my injuries are healing well. I suffered from head injuries and fracture of my right arm,” Samy said.
We asked Samy about what had happened in Tahrir Square on that fateful Friday. “After we—the traffic policemen in the square, a number of bystanders, and myself—managed to rescue Marianna, the mob turned on me. They circulated a rumour that I had shot a demonstrator, and that I had been attempting sought to vacate the square by force. This was not true of course; I had only rescued the young woman who, for me, could have been my sister or my fiancée.
“The mob, however,” Sami continued, “pushed me around, beating and kicking, until I fell on the ground. My gun and wireless walkie talkie were stolen. I lost consciousness and woke up to find myself in hospital.
“Even though I now have my gun and walkie talkie back, through the efforts of the bystanders who collaborated with the Police, none of the offenders were caught.”
The issue of the rumour that Marianna was an Israeli came up. “Whatever her nationality, assaulting a woman in the street goes against all ethics and social traditions. I never thought twice before firing in the air, even though I knew that the mobsters around threatened my life. If this happened again, I’m sure I’d do what I did all over again.”
First Lieutenant Samy said he was very happy for Marianna’s safety. “She called me on the phone and I told her that she is my sister and that I am happy to assume my duty in protecting her.”
Watani asked Samy if he had something further to say. “I would like to remind all policemen that the safety and security of Egypt and Egyptians remain our responsibility, no matter what dangers this entails. Remember, Egypt’s Police has to enforce the law and attain justice.
“To all Egyptians, I say: Enough chaos. We must all go back to our work, and citizens should help us in our task of protecting them and protecting the homeland. The same Egyptian blood flows through our veins, regardless of faith or gender. Discrimination between Muslims and Christians, or men and women should stop.
On its part, the Maspero Youth Union expressed their gratitude to “Tahrir’s courageous champion”, and called upon the authorities to decorate him with the Merit of Chivalry.