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Family Sues Egypt Over Beating of 2 Brothers at U.N. Mission in New York
The lawsuit claims the government is responsible for the attack on the brothers, who were protesting the closure of the Rafah border crossing.
Published on Feb. 5, 2026
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Two brothers, Yasin El Sammak and his 16-year-old brother Ali Elsamak, have sued the Egyptian government after they were beaten and restrained by security guards at the Egyptian Mission to the United Nations in New York City in August 2025. The brothers claim they sustained emotional and physical injuries during the incident, which was sparked by their protest of Egypt's closure of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
Why it matters
The lawsuit against Egypt highlights growing concerns about foreign governments cracking down on members of their diasporas in the United States. It also raises questions about diplomatic immunity and the ability to hold foreign states accountable for actions taken on American soil.
The details
According to the lawsuit, the brothers went to the Egyptian Mission on August 20, 2025 to protest the closure of the Rafah border crossing, a critical route for humanitarian aid to Gaza. Security guards from the mission allegedly dragged the brothers into the lobby, where one guard struck Yasin El Sammak with a chain, another restrained Ali Elsamak, and a third choked Yasin until he feared he would suffocate. The brothers sustained injuries including a hand/elbow injury for Ali and difficulty breathing for Yasin.
- The incident occurred on August 20, 2025.
- Charges against Yasin El Sammak were later dropped by the Manhattan district attorney's office.
- Charges against Ali Elsamak, who is a minor, were also later dropped.
The players
Yasin El Sammak
The 22-year-old older brother who was beaten and restrained by security guards at the Egyptian Mission.
Ali Elsamak
The 16-year-old younger brother who was also beaten and restrained by security guards at the Egyptian Mission.
Olga Elsamak
The mother of Yasin and Ali Elsamak, who is representing Ali in the lawsuit against Egypt.
Husam Kaid
An activist and friend of the Elsamak brothers who recorded video of the incident and called 911.
Egypt
The defendant in the lawsuit, which claims the Egyptian government is responsible for the attack on the brothers.
What they’re saying
“This case seeks to hold Egypt accountable for the reprehensible acts of violence its agents committed on American soil.”
— Joshua Colangelo-Bryan, Lawyer representing the Elsamak family
“Egypt has total impunity when it attacks or locks up or even kills protesters in Egypt. But the Egyptian government will have to face legal consequences for beating two American citizens in New York City.”
— Joshua Colangelo-Bryan, Lawyer representing the Elsamak family
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide whether to allow the lawsuit against Egypt to proceed, given the broad immunity foreign governments have under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.
The takeaway
This case highlights the growing tension between foreign governments' crackdowns on dissent and the rights of their citizens living abroad. It raises questions about how to hold foreign states accountable for actions taken on American soil, especially when it involves violence against protesters.
