Torture allegations and official explanation contradict in death of Egyptian national wrestler Gamal Abdunnasr

Egypt's gold medalist freestyle wrestler Gamal Abdunnasr has died at the age of 27. While the Interior Ministry attributes his death to drug addiction, social media claims the athlete was tortured while in custody at a police station.

Scraper SystemJune 30, 2026, 10:03 AM

Torture allegations and official explanation contradict in death of Egyptian national wrestler Gamal Abdunnasr

The death of Egyptian national wrestler Gamal Abdunnasr at the age of 27 has sparked shock and controversy in the country. There is a significant contradiction between allegations circulating on social media and the statements of official authorities.

According to allegations, Abdunnasr died while in custody at Medinet Badr Police Station in eastern Cairo. It is claimed that the athlete died due to injuries on his body after being taken to hospital.

Ministry statement on drugs and addiction

Egypt's Interior Ministry issued a written statement presenting a different picture. The ministry announced that the national wrestler was arrested on June 12 on charges of drug trafficking and was imprisoned by a prosecutor's decision.

The statement said Abdunnasr fell ill on June 27 due to complications caused by drug addiction. It was stated that he died at the hospital where he was taken for treatment, and emphasized that no signs of injury or assault were found in the medical examination and official inspection of the athlete's body.

Sports Ministry said illness, press reported heart attack

Egypt's Ministry of Youth and Sports also published a condolence message stating that Abdunnasr died after a battle with illness. Meanwhile, local media reported that the athlete died of a sudden heart attack.

Gamal Abdunnasr was considered among Egypt's leading Olympic freestyle wrestlers. The wrestler, who represented his country in the 57kg category on the international stage, achieved his greatest success by winning a gold medal at the African Games held in Accra, Ghana in 2023.

Torture allegations and official explanation contradict in death of Egyptian national wrestler Gamal Abdunnasr