Egyptian student dies in UK hospital after 'racially-aggravated' attack

Mariam Moustafa Abdel Salam was attacked by ten girls in Nottingham in late February before shortly falling into a coma.

Abdel Salam’s lawyer, Emad Abu Hussein said the hospital had failed to treat her, noting doctors sent the 18-year-old home just five hours after her arrival “despite her severe cerebral haemorrhage.”

“The perpetrators are known to the British authorities, and soon they will be charged of killing Mariam,” Egyptian Ambassador to the UK Nasser Kamel told Ala Mas’olity TV show on Sada el-Balad channel on Wednesday, according to Egypt Today.

A statement issued by the local Nottinghamshire Police confirmed a 17-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm but was subsequently released on conditional bail.

In a video posted on Facebook, Abdel Salam’s mother described how the ten females involved in the attack had previously targeted her daughter four months earlier- an incident that was reported to police.

“We went to the police station and issued an official complaint; however, nothing happened,” she said in a video recorded from Egypt. 

Abdel Salam was walking alone when the ten girls launched the vicious attack, dragging her some twenty metres along the road, the mother said. “She managed to get up and run towards one of the buses, but they went after her and started to beat her again. Just one man tried to defend her, but no one else tried to interfere,” the mother said.

The incident triggered outrage among Egyptians, including the victim’s family and friends, who compared the lack of state and media attention to attacks involving Muslim perpetrators. 

Detective Chief Inspector Mat Healey, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Our thoughts are with the woman’s family who we are giving support to at this difficult time.

"Our investigation is ongoing and extensive enquiries have already been completed but we’re urging anyone with any information that could help us with our enquiries to get in touch with us as soon as possible.

"We know there were a lot of people standing at the bus stop when the assault happened and we’re urging them to please come forward with any information which could help us."