• Germany edition
Photo: DPA

'Veil martyr' family pursues court officials

Published: 14 Nov 09 17:48 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20091114-23275.html

The family of the “veil martyr” – an Egyptian woman stabbed to death in a Dresden court room in July – is suing a judge and court president for failing to protect her, a public prosecutor confirmed on Saturday.

Senior Dresden public prosecutor Christian Avenarius said that a lawyer for the dead woman’s husband had begun legal action six weeks ago.

Last week, Alex Wiens, 28, was sentenced to life imprisonment for stabbing to death Marwa El-Sherbini in a Dresden court room.

On July 1, Wiens plunged an 18-centimetre kitchen knife at least 16 times into Sherbini, 31 and three-months pregnant at the time. Her son, three-year-old Mustafa, watched her bleed to death at the scene. Sherbini had taken Wiens to court after he racially abused her in a children’s playground.

Sherbini's husband, Egyptian geneticist Elwy Okaz, rushed to her aid but was also stabbed repeatedly and then shot in the leg by a guard who apparently mistook him for the attacker.

According to a Cairo newspaper report, Sherbini’s family is accusing the judge who was presiding over the court, and the court’s president, of failing to arrange proper security, thereby making them accessories to her death.

Despite knowledge of Wiens’ “criminal intent” there had been no special security arranged, one of the family’s lawyers said.

The family is also in discussion with the state of Saxony over compensation, the lawyer said.

Sherbini became known as the "veiled martyr" after her death provoked outrage in the Muslim world.

DPA/The Local (news@thelocal.de)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

#1
18:13 November 14, 2009 by OPB
What a big surprise, the person responsible goes away for life yet that's not enough.
Report abuse »
#2
18:56 November 14, 2009 by BR549
OPB -

I think under the same circumstances you would do the same as him. Sorry, but the entire situation calls for compensation to this family. The Court did nothing to ensure the safety of all, Mother satbbed for 3 minutes with no intervention and dies in front of her child, Father stabbed several times and shot by security and probably crippled for life. Unlike you, I think they are entitled to something over this fiasco.
Report abuse »
#3
20:04 November 14, 2009 by Celeon
Could you please stop this "veil martyr" bullshit?

Whats the point in giving this nonsensical and religious agenda motivated description legitimacy by using it for every stupid headline?
Report abuse »
#4
20:16 November 14, 2009 by Portnoy
Pretty clear the German court system is on the hook for some liability here. I would think a couple million would suffice. And out of court.
Report abuse »
#5
20:31 November 14, 2009 by Jibzy
Well i kind of support the family in what they're doing. But yeah i dont like the over-exploitation of this issue.

That said, Celeon...have some respect and tolerance for the family. To you its bullshit but i guess you wont be saying the same thing if your mother/wife was stabbed 13 times and then the police come and shoot you.

Enough said.
Report abuse »
#6
08:59 November 15, 2009 by Meringer
OPB if someone brutally murdered your loved one right in front of you, then assualted you, and the guard shot you instead of stopping he murderer, how much would be enough for you. I know for me, there would never be enough, but I know if it causes some punsihment to the system that let it happen, they may take more precautions in the future and help prevent future courtroom violence. I know in America, many bailiffs are older retired or disabled officers, or people right off of the street with little training and working for minimum wage. And violence happens often in the courtrooms because of it.
Report abuse »
#7
09:52 November 17, 2009 by moistvelvet
I don't see this with having anything to do about religion, so I ignore the "Veil martyr" part, this is simply about a neglect of duty to protect, to intervene, just where were those paid to enforce and uphold the law when this woman was stabbed 16 times, imcompetent cowards. I agree that this family has a case and Alex Wiens wasn't the only person to commit a crime that day.
Report abuse »
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Brutal cold triggers reserve power plants

After exporting power to France earlier this week, Germany has switched on reserve energy plants amid surging demand for electricity due to the ongoing deep freeze hitting Europe. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Artist compensated for two lost French fries

A Munich court on Thursday awarded an artist €2,000 in damages because a gallery lost two 22-year-old chips that were the basis of an artwork in which the fries lay across each other in a cross. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Star cyclist Ullrich found guilty of doping

Germany’s most famous cyclist Jan Ullrich was found guilty of doping and stripped of his third place in the 2005 Tour de France by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Germany expels four Syrian diplomats

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Thursday Germany was expelling four diplomats from the Syrian embassy in Berlin after the arrest of two men suspected of spying on regime opponents. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Photo: DPA

Berlinale opens with revolutionary drama

Diane Kruger stars as Marie Antoinette in "Farewell My Queen," a lush costume drama set on the eve of the French Revolution that will open the 62nd Berlin film festival on Thursday. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Photo: DPA

Rent-jumping family caught by police

An eight-person family that avoided paying rent for years by moving house every two to three weeks has finally been caught in the northern German town of Schneverdingen. READ (7 COMMENTS) »

Photo: The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain

What's on in Germany: February 9 - 15

This Week's Highlights: The star-studded Berlinale film festival kicks off in Berlin, Munch goes on view in Frankfurt, and a ukelele orchestra sets up in Munich. READ »

Photo: DPA

Sick pups found in van

German police this week rescued 92 puppies from a van, after the dogs had spent 13 hours being transported across Europe without food or water. READ (5 COMMENTS) »

More Society
More popular articles »
Highlights
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Sabine Devins tackles immunisations and baby pharmaceuticals in the latest instalment of Motherhood in the Fatherland.
Photo: Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain
SOCIETY »
What's on in Germany: February 9 - 15
Photo: Hugo, Jaap Buitendijk. (c) 2011 GK Films, LLC.
LIFESTYLE »
Find the latest movies in English playing in Germany with The Local's cinema guide.
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Germany is battling the increasingly widespread phenomenon of "burnout" which is supposedly costing its economy billions of euros each year.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
The economy in shambles, angry street protests and the government on the brink after passing unpopular reforms. But this is not Greece in 2012 – it was Germany a decade ago. Marc Young looks back to see an agenda for the future.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
Germany’s public transportation largely operates on the honour system, which makes fare dodging easy. You can have your say on how Germany should deal with the problem.
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Macho German football legend Rudi Assauer says he has Alzheimer’s Disease, an admission one expert told The Local could help stoke discussion of an illness often considered taboo.
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
A 64-year-old tub of American lard has been deemed fit for human consumption by food safety authorities in the eastern German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
As Hamburg’s legendary Reeperbahn strip gentrifies, Stephen Lowman reports how the city’s “sinful mile” is changing.
Photo: Bavarian International School
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A global education - a Bavarian community
Photo ECLA
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A truly international education at the heart of Berlin



See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Sponsored Links
Jobs in Germany, in English

1328 jobs available
874 new jobs this week
222 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
News from DeutschlandOnline

Noticeboard
SHOW ALL NOTICES »
Toytown Germany
Germany's English-speaking crowd
Toytown Germany
FULL INDEX »
English-speaking educators (native level)

Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.
Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!