BREAKING: Former Egypt Spy Chief Omar Suleiman Dead
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 19 July 2012 12:27
PNN
Reuters news agency has reported that Egypt's former head of intelligence Omar Suleiman and one of former Dictator Hosni Mubarak's most senior officials has died in the United States where he was undergoing medical tests. One of Suleiman's senior assistants informed Retuers of the news today.
It is reported by Reuters that Hussein Kamal, Suleiman's aide, said "He was fine. It came suddenly while he was having medical tests in Cleveland." No reason has yet been given for Suleiman's death.
The former intelligence chief, who was dubbed 'Mubarak II' by many, was briefly Vice-President days before Mubarak was forced to step down after popular uprisings earlier this year.
As the head of intelligence Suleiman oversaw the secret security apparatus that surpressed political dissent in Egypt. His legacy is one of torture and fierce repression and was condemned bitterly by human rights organisations for his role in crushing political dissent. Ron Suskind, the author of a book on the regime, called Suleiman Mubarak's 'hitman'.
More details are yet to emerge about the exact causes of Suleiman's death.
