Twitter remembers Egypt's Khaled Said 4 years after killing

Four years ago on 6 June, Khaled Said, died in Egypt’s Alexandria after he was badly beaten by policemen. Back in 2010, Said was arrested by two detectives as he sat in an internet cafe, and was dragged out into the street. After his death, autopsy reports stated that he had suffocated while trying to swallow a bag of marijuana. However, pictures of Said’s battered body went viral after his brother photographed it in the morgue, calling to question the official account of his death.

The Facebook group “We are all Khaled Said” brought attention to the case and became a hub for anti-regime internet activism.

Said’s death marked a turning-point for Egypt, sparking fierce outcry and the huge public demonstrations that eventually led to President Hosni Mubarak’s downfall and arrest.

Though two policemen were given 10-year sentences on 3 March 2014 for his killing, today’s anniversary shows that he remains a symbolic and controversial figure in post-revolution Egypt with many taking to social media to pay homage to the young man and vow that his legacy will not be forgotten. 

Translation: 6.6.2010, Khaled Said died after horrible torture. A symbol of the Egyptian revolution. 4 years later, his killers were democratically elected

Translation: Khalid Said will multiply on the walls of the Interior Ministry

Translation: Here are tens of Egyptians who decided to protest in front of the Interior Ministry for Khaled Said after four years. Months after his death, millions went out to demonstrate.

Translation: Khalid, your blood went to waste. As if the revolution never happened and the regime never fell.