Marwa El Sherbiny and her husband, Elvi Ali Okaz
A little over a week ago, a pregnant 32-year-old Egyptian woman was murdered in a Dresden, Germany courtroom by a 28-year-old Russian man who stabbed her with a knife 18 times before he could be subdued by guards. The woman's husband, Elvi Ali Okaz, was shot by a guard as he rushed to save his wife. The guard mistakenly thought that the husband was a second attacker. He is still in a German hospital recovering from his wounds. Also present in the courtroom was the couple's young son, Mustafa, three years old.
The attack resulted from an incident last summer when Sherbini was verbally accosted by the Russian in a park as he was playing with her child on a park swing. The man insulted her wearing of a headscarf and called her a terrorist and "Islamist whore", according to reports. That was what had landed the attacker in court in a civil suit. The victim was testifying when the attack took place.
The incident has sparked outrage in Egypt and across the Middle East. Besides questioning the slow response of courtroom guards, the incident has sparked anger towards Germany in general-in spite of the fact that the attacker was a Russian from Perm. The German ambassador to Cairo has paid a condolence call to the victim's family.
The couple had been living in Germany since 2003, but was planning to return to Egypt in the near future.
Hopefully, this individual will be punished to the fullest extent of German law, which, unfortunately, does not include the death penalty-as it would here in the US. More importantly, this points out the need for everybody to maintain reason in the struggle against the violent and extreme factions of Islam that seek to do us harm. This woman should never have been subjected to the verbal abuse she endured with her child in that German park. Even more so, this murder is an outrage, and it must never be repeated-neither in Europe nor in North America.
Hate crimes are wrong. I myself have written about a couple of reported anti-Muslim hate crimes in the US that have turned out to be apparent hoaxes. This was no hoax. It was real.
Gary, that man is probably getting seven years in jail, the punishment for murder in Germany is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteSeven years! What an outrage.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ingrid. If he is lucky to get that at all.
ReplyDeleteBut why were they in civil court? After all insulting someone isn't slander. He said some nasty things to her, and she gets to sue?
Seems that's the way it is in Germany. If you have a run-in with another driver and you point your finger to your temple, that is considered so provocative, you can be charged.
ReplyDeleteAm I right, Ingrid?
So it's "unfortunate" that Germany is part of the mainstream civilized world and has decided that capital punishment is anachronistic and barbaric?
ReplyDeleteWe're not in very good company when it comes to countries that still execute people: China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, North Korea, etc. Take a look at this map for reference.
Yes, Bryan, it is unfortunate-especially given that this guy will probably not spend 10 years in prison.
ReplyDeleteYes, Bryan, it is unfortunate-especially given that this guy will probably not spend 10 years in prison.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying he should receive such a light sentence. It's not a choice of a slap on the wrist or state-sanctioned murder. He deserves a lengthy prison term, maybe even a life term.
ReplyDeleteI'm simply pointing out the company we keep in this regard as a country. It's a great shame for our nation. I notice you can't really rebut this embarrassing truth that we are in agreement with North Korea, China, Iran et al on such a crucial moral issue.
Yes Gary, you can be charged with insult when you show someone the bird. I've talked to a lot of Germans who are fed up with the leniency of the courts when it comes to punishing murderers, many favor the death penalty.
ReplyDeleteThere is a case right here in the town I live in where a 30 year old man (father of five) deliberately hit a 13 year old girl on a bicycle with his car, picked her up and drove her to a place where he could rape her. She was severely injured. Now they are debating whether he was drunk before or after, that would make a difference in his sentencing. A drunk can't be held as responsible for his crime. That is German law. I'll let you know the outcome.
"He deserves a lengthy prison term, maybe even a life term."
ReplyDeleteMaybe?
The difference between us and counties like Iran, N Korea and China is that we reserve the death penalty for 1st degree murder. In N Korea, they execute people for making fun of the dear leader's hair. In Iran, they execute gays, Ba'hais and opponents of the govt.
Huge difference.