Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

CAIRO

An Egyptian military tribunal Sunday acquitted an army doctor of giving women activists “virginity tests” in a case that angered the nation over violent crackdowns on protests that included intimidating women with sexual abuse.

Charges filed by Samira Ibrahim against Dr. Ahmed Adel highlighted the army’s suppression of dissent as it struggled to keep order after the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak. The tribunal, which contradicted an earlier civilian-court ruling, suspended Ibrahim’s accusations, citing contradictory statements by witnesses.

Two nurses testified that no virginity tests were given, saying that army officers only asked the women if they were married or pregnant. The tribunal also noted that Ibrahim and another woman gave different names for a prison guard, a discrepancy Ibrahim’s lawyers said was minor and should not have jeopardized her case.

Ibrahim reportedly ran weeping from the courtroom, telling her supporters: “In God’s name, this is not fair. There is only injustice in our country now. ... This case has turned into a theatrical show.”

Dozens of members of the Egyptian Association for Women chanted outside against the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.

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