Imagine protesting peacefully, then being dragged into a diplomatic building and allegedly beaten. That’s what two brothers claim happened in NYC, but instead of their attackers being held accountable, they were arrested by police. What truly happened inside that building, and why are the alleged victims now facing charges?
A pro-Palestinian demonstration in Midtown Manhattan last week dramatically escalated into a harrowing ordeal, as two brothers allege they were violently assaulted by Egyptian diplomatic personnel before facing felony charges from New York City police. This incident has ignited significant debate surrounding diplomatic immunity and the rights of protesters.
Video footage, widely circulated by another activist, shows Yasin El Sammak, 22, and his 15-year-old brother being forcibly pulled from a public sidewalk directly into an Egyptian diplomatic building. Inside, the brothers claim they were subjected to a brutal beating with a metal chain, thrown to the ground, and even suffocated with a Palestinian scarf, accounts that starkly contradict initial official statements.
Despite the compelling visual evidence and witness testimonies supporting the brothers’ claims of being victims, NYPD officers proceeded to arrest El Sammak and his younger sibling. They were subsequently charged with serious felony offenses, including assault and strangulation, immediately raising critical questions about police conduct and the contentious nature of the incident.
El Sammak recounted feeling “traumatized and confused” by the experience, expressing disbelief that the NYPD, “instead arrested my brother and me and let those who abused us walk free.” Subsequent attempts by El Sammak and his attorney to file charges against the Egyptian officials were met with refusal, as police cited complex jurisdictional limitations linked to diplomatic immunity.
Under international law, diplomatic officials are granted certain immunities from criminal prosecution, a principle that significantly influenced the NYPD’s decision not to pursue charges against the Egyptian personnel involved in the alleged assault. This legal framework often complicates investigations into incidents occurring on foreign diplomatic premises, posing unique challenges for local law enforcement.
Conversely, the criminal complaint filed against El Sammak alleges he was the aggressor, claiming he struck an Egyptian official with the chain, causing injury. However, Jacqueline Dombroff, El Sammak’s attorney, vehemently denies this accusation, arguing that her clients were the actual victims and that footage seen by both the NYPD and the district attorney’s office supports their counter-narrative.
This contentious event unfolds amid a broader wave of pro-Palestinian protests at Egyptian diplomatic buildings across Europe and elsewhere, all demanding increased humanitarian aid access to Gaza through the Rafah crossing. While Egypt has publicly advocated for an end to the conflict and maintains its side of the crossing remains open, these demonstrations highlight acute global concerns over the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Yasin El Sammak, a U.S. citizen soon to commence a nursing program, has actively participated in peaceful demonstrations against what he terms Egypt’s “complicity in genocide.” The specific altercation on August 20 commenced as another activist attempted to chain the building’s entrance, rapidly escalating into the alleged violent confrontation.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has confirmed an active and ongoing investigation, seeking additional video and witness accounts to clarify the events. This incident echoes previous controversies involving foreign diplomatic responses to protests on U.S. soil, such as the 2017 Turkish Embassy incident, underscoring persistent challenges in balancing diplomatic protocol with public safety and justice.
