Egyptian interior minister denies police fired birdshots at protesters

2012-02-08 07:57:35 GMT+7 (ICT)

CAIRO (BNO NEWS) -- Egyptian Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim on Tuesday denied that police used birdshot bullets to disperse protesters during recent deadly clashes in downtown Cairo, local media reported.

Speaking before Egypt's parliament, Ibrahim denied allegations that Central Security Forces (CSF) have used shotguns loaded with birdshot to disperse anti-government protesters during clashes near the interior ministry building last week. He claimed that armed 'third parties hiding among protesters' had been responsible.

However, testimonies by several injured protesters and video footage challenge Ibrahim's version of events, according to the Al-Ahram newspaper. The birdshot injuries of prominent activist Salma Said, 26, have been circulated widely on the internet and by local media.

Field-hospital doctors at the scene confirmed that shotguns loaded with birdshot and tear gas had been heavily employed by police, the newspaper said. On Monday, health ministry spokesman Hisham Shiha declared that protester Ahmed Kenawy, 21, had succumbed to birdshot injuries to his neck and chest.

The interior minister said in the parliamentary session that several police officers had also been wounded by birdshot. A parliamentary investigation into the recent clashes confirmed that a police general had suffered an ocular explosion while seven police officers had also been injured by birdshot.

The committee nevertheless held the interior ministry responsible for the violence, citing several birdshot injuries among protesters. At least five protesters suffered eye injuries, the committee said.

At least 15 people have been killed and hundreds more have been injured since clashes erupted in Cairo and the port city of Suez on Thursday. The violence came after 74 people were killed and more than 300 others were injured in riots following a soccer match in Port Said.

Following the Port Said stadium clashes, thousands of supporters hit the streets, demanding the removal of Egypt's military junta from power and the transfer of power to civilians. The junta, which has been in charge since Mubarak was ousted last year, has said presidential polls will be held by mid-June.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-02-08

It's becoming harder and harder to pretend the fallout from the ouster of Mubarak is anything but a disaster. There is also the case of 45 U.S citizens who work for NGO's are to go on trial in Egypt on sundry trumped up charges. I guess Egypt have found a way to keep the U.S aid coming in by using hostages as a bargaining chip.

It's becoming harder and harder to pretend the fallout from the ouster of Mubarak is anything but a disaster. There is also the case of 45 U.S citizens who work for NGO's are to go on trial in Egypt on sundry trumped up charges. I guess Egypt have found a way to keep the U.S aid coming in by using hostages as a bargaining chip.

More off topic dribble

It's becoming harder and harder to pretend the fallout from the ouster of Mubarak is anything but a disaster. There is also the case of 45 U.S citizens who work for NGO's are to go on trial in Egypt on sundry trumped up charges. I guess Egypt have found a way to keep the U.S aid coming in by using hostages as a bargaining chip.

Times of political transition aren't always smooth. Especially so when a country does not have a firm democratic tradition. This isn't unique to Egypt.

As for linking the USA aid and the charges against USA citizens - "Egypt have found a way" implies there's some sort of unity or that Egypt speaks with one voice on such matters. Hardly the case. I'm pretty sure it has more to do with internal politics than anything else.

Egypt sure ain't looking good.