Egypt sued over alleged beating of brothers at U.N. mission in New York
Two brothers who were beaten and detained by security guards at the Egyptian Mission to the United Nations in New York City last summer have filed a federal lawsuit against Egypt, alleging that the government is responsible for the attack.
The lawsuit was filed on Thursday in Manhattan federal court by Yasin El Sammak, 22, and their mother, Olga Elsamak, on behalf of her 16-year-old son, Ali Elsamak. The brothers claim that the incident caused physical injuries and emotional trauma.
Background of the Incident
The altercation occurred on August 20, 2025, when the brothers went to the Egyptian diplomatic mission to protest restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza during Israel’s conflict with Hamas.
According to the complaint, four security guards attacked the brothers after they arrived outside the mission. Videos recorded by Yasin El Sammak and a friend, activist Husam Kaid, show the brothers being dragged through the glass doors of the mission, with Yasin being struck with a chain and Ali restrained. The footage spread widely online, sparking outrage in both New York City and Egypt, where many criticized the incident as political repression.
Law Enforcement Response
New York police officers were called to the mission and arrested both brothers. The Manhattan District Attorney later dropped the charges against Yasin, who had been accused of assault. Charges against Ali, a minor, filed in family court, were also dismissed, according to Joshua Colangelo-Bryan, one of the family’s lawyers.
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit seeks to hold Egypt accountable for the alleged violence of its agents on American soil. It includes claims of:
- Assault
- Battery
- False imprisonment
The family is seeking punitive damages as well as compensation for physical and emotional injuries.
Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, foreign governments generally enjoy immunity from lawsuits in U.S. courts. However, the law includes an exception for personal injuries occurring in the United States, which the lawsuit cites.
Timeline of the Attack
According to the complaint:
- Husam Kaid had invited the brothers to protest and planned to chain the mission doors.
- A security guard emerged, causing Kaid to flee and drop the chain.
- The guards then turned on Yasin and Ali, pulling Ali behind barricades and restraining him.
- Yasin attempted to intervene, pleading with guards to release his brother.
- Two more guards then forcibly dragged the brothers into the mission lobby, where violence escalated.
During the assault:
- Yasin was hit on the neck and leg with a chain and choked with a Palestinian kaffiyeh, leaving him fearing he would suffocate.
- Ali suffered cuts on his hand and elbow, later developing a MRSA infection.
- Yasin required hospital treatment for breathing and swallowing difficulties.
Historical Parallels
Lawyer Joshua Colangelo-Bryan emphasized that Egypt has long exercised impunity against protesters domestically, but he argues that attacking U.S. citizens on American soil carries legal consequences.
The lawsuit fits into a broader pattern of foreign governments targeting members of their diaspora in the U.S.. For example, in 2017, Turkish security personnel attacked protesters outside the Turkish ambassador’s residence in Washington, leading to a separate civil suit in which Turkey was eventually found liable in 2025.
The brothers’ protest focused on the closure of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, a critical humanitarian route. The complaint notes that the protest was peaceful, and the escalation was caused by security guards’ disproportionate use of force.
The lawsuit raises questions about diplomatic immunity, accountability, and the safety of U.S.-born citizens abroad. Colangelo-Bryan noted,
“The Egyptian government will have to face legal consequences for beating two American citizens in New York City,”
highlighting the rare instance of a foreign government being challenged legally in the U.S. for actions on American soil.
