[Elder of Ziyon] Egyptians upset over police beating naked man on video

From Egypt Independent:

Dozens of protestors marched from Tahrir Square to the prosecutor general's office at the High Court to condemn security forces' stripping and beating of a protester yesterday during clashes in front of Ettehadiya Palace and to demand Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim's dismissal.

Protesters chanted "it is the same crisis ... the Brotherhood are a group of thieves" and "police are thugs," and held banners reading, "Morsy, leave with you Interior Minister" and "Mr. Prosecutor General, Morsy is attacking defenseless people."

What happened?

Security forces dragged the protester through the streets, stripped him naked and beat him with batons before forcing him into an armored vehicle. The attack, which was captured by Al-Hayat satellite channel TV cameras, came amid clashes between security forces and opponents of President Mohamed Morsy's rule in front of the palace.

In a press statement, the ministry described the incident as an "individual act" that does not represent police or security forces on the whole, describing them as making every effort "to protect the nation's security and stability, and sacrifice their lives for the security of the citizen."

The statement added that an investigation is underway and that it would announce its findings to the public.

But then, Egypt's old ways made a comeback:

Prosecutors are now claiming that Hamada Saber, who was dragged, stripped naked and beaten up in front of the Ettehadiya Presidential Palace, was actually assaulted by protesters, and that security forces were the ones that came to his rescue.

The Heliopolis Prosecution is alleging that Saber denied reports that security assaulted him. Prosecutors claim he told them that protesters assaulted him, thinking he was from the security forces because he was wearing black.

According to prosecutors, Saber was also initially beaten by security forces who thought he was a demonstrator.

The prosecutors' claims fly in the face of overwhelming reports and video evidence to the contrary. A video from the Al-Hayat satellite channel showed the protester being assaulted by security forces, and the Interior Ministry released a statement expressing regret over the incident.

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Posted By Elder of Ziyon to Elder of Ziyon at 2/02/2013 09:30:00 PM