Egyptian court acquits 5 policemen accused of killing protesters

Egyptian court acquits 5 policemen accused of killing protesters

2011-12-30 21:42:56 GMT+7 (ICT)

CAIRO (BNO NEWS) -- An Egyptian court on Thursday acquitted four police officers and one non-commissioned police officer who were accused of killing protesters during the uprising earlier this year, the Al-Ahram daily newspaper reported on Friday.

The officers were facing charges of killing five protesters and intending to kill a sixth person in front of the police station in the district of Sayeda Zeinab near downtown Cairo. Thursday's ruling was the first against suspects accused of killing protesters during the uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak.

On January 28, known as the "Friday of Rage," clashes between police officers and protesters erupted after several police stations were stormed by protesters. The Cairo criminal court said the policemen acted in self-defense, despite accusations of excessive police force.

According to Amnesty International, at least 840 people were killed and over 6,000 people were injured in the violent repression. Activists and victims' families have been demanding that those responsible for the killings of protesters be brought to justice in fair trials.

Meanwhile, more than 12,000 Egyptian citizens are currently languishing in prison after being tried by military courts since January 28. In September, the Cairo-based Arabic Network for Human Rights Information noted a 'sharp decline' in freedom of opinion and expression in Egypt following the ouster of Mubarak.

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