By Nasser Al-Azzazi
Unknown gunmen opened fire on Abdel Hamid Selma, a former Shura Council MP and member of the dissolved National Democratic Party, killing him in Al-Arish on Wednesday.
The Al-Fawakhria tribal elder was shot with automatic weapons, according to eyewitnesses, while leaving a mosque following morning prayers. He was transferred to a hospital in Al-Arish, but doctors were unable to save his life.
The elder received death threats from militants one week ago, allegedly due to his support of the armed forces following the July 3 change in power and his support for demonstrations that had been called for by the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi.
Demonstrations occurred in North Sinai following the assassination, calling for punishment of the assailants and calling on the army and police to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The previous day police officer Ahmed Hanafi was attacked by armed militants in Al-Arish, leaving the security officer with a wound in the shoulder. The same day assailants attacked the Police Officers Club, but no security personnel were injured in that attack.
