Egyptian Judge Waleed Sharabi: The Presidency Must Be Protected Even If It Means Shedding Blood

Following are excerpts from an interview with Egyptian judge Waleed Sharabi, which aired on Mehwar TV via the Internet on December 5, 2012.

Waleed Sharabi: If I were the president, I would have to protect the institution of the presidency with all my power – not in order to protect my position, but in order to defend the state, which protects us all.

Interviewer: Using all available means?

Waleed Sharabi: Yes, using all available means, regardless of the cost.

Interviewer: Even if it means beating up demonstrators?

Waleed Sharabi: Even if it means shedding blood. We must defend the dignity of the state.

Interviewer: Your honor, I am not with you on that, because I believe that the blood of the Egyptians is more precious than the institution of the presidency.

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