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Egyptian Court Drops Charges in Fatal Melees Egyptian Court Drops Charges in Fatal Melees
(about 5 hours later)
CAIRO (AP) — An Egyptian criminal court has invoked a presidential amnesty and dismissed charges against 379 people accused of taking part in deadly clashes with the police, a judge said Saturday.CAIRO (AP) — An Egyptian criminal court has invoked a presidential amnesty and dismissed charges against 379 people accused of taking part in deadly clashes with the police, a judge said Saturday.
The charges stem from nearly two weeks of street fighting in downtown Cairo in November 2011 that left 42 people dead.The charges stem from nearly two weeks of street fighting in downtown Cairo in November 2011 that left 42 people dead.
Young protesters, mostly die-hard soccer fans known as Ultras, led demonstrations against the police near the Interior Ministry and Tahrir Square. They were demanding a timetable for the military officers who were then ruling the country to hand over power and hold presidential elections, and denouncing security crackdowns on sit-ins.Young protesters, mostly die-hard soccer fans known as Ultras, led demonstrations against the police near the Interior Ministry and Tahrir Square. They were demanding a timetable for the military officers who were then ruling the country to hand over power and hold presidential elections, and denouncing security crackdowns on sit-ins.
The judge, Gamal Eddin Rushdi, said that his decision was based on the pardon issued late last year by President Mohamed Morsi.The judge, Gamal Eddin Rushdi, said that his decision was based on the pardon issued late last year by President Mohamed Morsi.
In Alexandria on Saturday, the police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators throwing stones outside a courthouse where the city’s former security director and five police officers are on trial in connection with the killing of protesters during the 2011 uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak.In Alexandria on Saturday, the police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators throwing stones outside a courthouse where the city’s former security director and five police officers are on trial in connection with the killing of protesters during the 2011 uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak.
Mohammed Ibrahim, the former security director, and the five officers are accused of using excessive violence against the protesters. Mohammad Ibrahim, the former security director, and the five officers are accused of using excessive violence against the protesters.
Dozens of protesters gathered outside the courthouse on Saturday to denounce what they saw as a lack of accountability for the killing of protesters. Those who took part in the uprising say that Egypt’s legacy of police impunity and the use of brute force by security agencies cannot be ended without genuine political change.Dozens of protesters gathered outside the courthouse on Saturday to denounce what they saw as a lack of accountability for the killing of protesters. Those who took part in the uprising say that Egypt’s legacy of police impunity and the use of brute force by security agencies cannot be ended without genuine political change.
Nearly 100 police officers have been brought to trial in a string of cases since Mr. Mubarak was deposed on Feb. 11, 2011. All were acquitted or received suspended sentences on charges of killing and wounding protesters.Nearly 100 police officers have been brought to trial in a string of cases since Mr. Mubarak was deposed on Feb. 11, 2011. All were acquitted or received suspended sentences on charges of killing and wounding protesters.
Of more than 900 people killed nationwide in the anti-Mubarak protests, about 300 were reported to have died in Alexandria. Mr. Mubarak and his former interior minister were sentenced to life in prison for failing to stop the killings, but were granted a retrial this month.Of more than 900 people killed nationwide in the anti-Mubarak protests, about 300 were reported to have died in Alexandria. Mr. Mubarak and his former interior minister were sentenced to life in prison for failing to stop the killings, but were granted a retrial this month.