Egyptian court sets bail for police accused of killing protesters

[News_Editor]

Egyptian court sets bail for police accused of killing protesters

2011-07-06 22:46:42 GMT+7 (ICT)

CAIRO (BNO NEWS) -- An Egyptian criminal court on Wednesday rejected an appeal filed against the release of police officers accused of killing demonstrators during the country's uprising earlier this year.

According to Ahram Online, relatives of those killed and injured during the uprising attacked the police headquarters in Suez following the court's decision. The families have been staging an open-ended sit-in in Egypt's portal city after the court decided on Monday to bail out the officers.

According to Amnesty International, at least 840 people were killed and over 6,000 people were injured in the violent repression that took place during the January uprising.

Ousted President Hosni Mubarak ruled Egypt in a 30-year-long regime which began in 1981. He stepped down earlier this year after weeks of anti-government protests by crowds calling for greater democracy and respect of human rights.

Protesters have also been demanding speedier proceedings against Mubarak and his aides. The former leader will stand trial for corruption and murder charges on August 3, along his sons, Alaa and Gamal, and businessman Hussein Salem.

Mubarak is accused of intentional murder of demonstrators, abuse use of authority for personal gain and embezzlement of the state budget. It is alleged that he conspired with former interior minister Habib El-Adly and other senior police officials to deliberately kill protesters in Tahrir Square during the January 25 Revolution.

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