Photo: Jerome Bon (CC BY 2.0)
CAIRO—On September 13, eight Mexican nationals were killed in a case of mistaken identity. While traveling in Egypt’s Western Desert, the group was confused with Islamist terrorists. Mooseclean’s sat down with the head of anti-terrorism in Egypt, Khaled Mubarak, to ask some questions about the incident.
MOOSECLEAN’S: How could a convoy of tourist vehicles be mistaken for Islamist terrorists?
MUBARAK: The terrorists we were chasing drove similar vehicles. All RAV4s look the same.
MOOSECLEAN’S: The group had stopped for lunch when they were attacked without warning. Why didn’t you try to make contact before opening fire?
MUBARAK: There were no sombreros or burritos. No mariachi band. How were we to know they were Mexican tourists and not Islamist terrorists stopping to construct an outpost of evil?
MOOSECLEAN’S: The Western Desert is a popular tourist attraction. Why did the government say this group was in a restricted zone?
MUBARAK: All of Egypt is a restricted zone, open to military interpretation.
MOOSECLEAN’S: Four Egyptians were also killed in this incident. How are citizens reacting?
MUBARAK: At least four Egyptians are killed every day in the market. The only reason I’m doing this interview is because I am now forced to address foreign relations.
MOOSECLEAN’S: When will an Egyptian court clear Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy of fabricated charges?
MUBARAK: Oh, haha. Clever. Thought you’d sneak that one in there? Next question.
MOOSECLEAN’S: Do you think this incident will affect Egyptian tourism in the future?
MUBARAK: Not at all. People are still going on holiday in Mexico, right?