The Egyptian government is pressing UK authorities to act swiftly in their investigations into the death of an 18-year-old Egyptian student who was the victim of a street assault in Nottingham.
Mariam Moustafa, who was left in a coma after the incident on 20 February, was pronounced dead on Wednesday. The teenager, an engineering student based in the city, was allegedly punched several times during a confrontation with a group of women in Parliament Street, Nottingham.
While detectives investigating the death have said there is no information to suggest the attack was motivated by hate, the student’s family have reportedly been critical of the British authorities’ response.
On the night of the incident, Moustafa got on a bus at the scene near the Victoria Centre shopping precinct and was followed by the group, who it is claimed were then threatening and abusive towards her.
She was taken to a medical centre in Nottingham after the attack. She was then released, according to a report by Middle East Eye, but later suffered a brain haemorrhage and was placed in a medically induced coma.
The newspaper quoted her father, Hatem Abdel Salam, as saying that the family had received no support from the British authorities or police.
“It’s been nearly 20 days and the girls who were involved in the assault haven’t been arrested,” it quoted him as saying. “The British police haven’t given me any details about what happened nor has the hospital provided us a single report.”
The Egyptian embassy in London said in a statement that its counsel general and medical counsel, as well as other representatives from the embassy, were immediately dispatched to offer support to the family following the attack and were briefed by the family’s lawyer.
“The government of Egypt and embassy have been closely following the circumstances of this vicious attack with the relevant British authorities and express the need for those responsible be be brought to justice swiftly,” it added.
“The deep concern of the Egyptian public is evident and the embassy remains focused in its efforts to to support and assist Mariam’s grieving family whose life has been shattered by the traumatic loss.”
Nottinghamshire police said it was aware of social media posts and discussions with regard to the recent tragic death of Mariam Moustafa.
“The content of these posts and discussions suggest that the incident is motivated by hate,” it added in a statement.
“At this time, from our investigation, there is no information to suggest that the assault was motivated by hate but we continue to keep an open mind.
“We would like to reassure the community that we are treating this incident very seriously and we are working hard to establish the circumstances.
“We are also giving support to Mariam’s family at this very difficult time.”
A 17-year-old girl arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm was bailed pending further investigation following the incident.
