2 cops cleared of Egypt protest deaths

2012-11-22 17:11

Egyptian protesters chant slogans during a demonstration in Tahrir Square. (File, AP)

Cairo — An Egyptian court has cleared two policemen of killing protesters during last year's uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak.

The two officers from Cairo's populous el-Darb el-Ahmar district were charged with killing five protesters and injuring seven during a demonstration against Mubarak's regime on 28 January 2011, when tens of thousands took to the streets.

The day, dubbed the "Day of Rage" marked the beginning of the end of Mubarak's nearly 30 years in power. Many of about 850 Egyptians killed during the uprising died on that day.

Only a handful of officials and policemen have been brought to trial over the deaths. Even fewer have been convicted, either due to lack of evidence or poor investigations. Mubarak was sentenced to life in prison for failing to stop the killings.

- AP