Fierce clashes broke out in the Nile Delta on Monday between demonstrators and riot police after the funeral of an activist who died in custody, witnesses said, amid a growing backlash against police abuses.
A health ministry official said at least 18 people were wounded in the city of Tanta, where witnesses say police fired tear gas and birdshot at stone-throwing protesters following the activist's funeral.
Mohammed al-Guindi, 28, had been arrested in Cairo's Tahrir Square last month after joining protests demanding change on the second anniversary of the country's uprising.
Guindi's death and footage of police abuse have confronted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi with uncomfortable parallels with the Hosni Mubarak's regime, deposed in an early 2011 uprising fueled by his security forces' brutality.
The United States, a key benefactor of Egypt, called on Morsi's government to investigate charges of police abuse.
"We urge the government of Egypt to thoroughly, credibly and independently investigate all claims of violence and wrongdoing by security officials and demonstrators and to bring perpetrators to justice," said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.
Guindi's death on Monday after police transferred him unconscious to hospital came days after policemen were filmed beating and dragging a naked man.
The official Al-Ahram newspaper reported on its website that Culture Minister Mohammed Saber Arab resigned in protest over the incident.
But the state news agency MENA quoted a government spokesman who confirmed Arab had tendered his resignation but denied "reports... on the reasons behind his resignation."
In Tanta, witnesses told AFP that police fired tear gas as marchers approached the provincial headquarters following Guindi's burial in the city.
Protesters, joined by residents of the Nile Delta city, then showered police with stones, witnesses said, who responded with further volleys of tear gas and birdshot.
The chief of police the Gharbiya province, where Tanta is located, said the protesters torched an armoured police vehicle and threw petrol bombs at provincial and police headquarters. He said police detained up to nine people.
"The boys who torched the armoured vehicle, we've detained them. About eight or nine," the police chief, Hatem Othman, told the Egyptian ONTV Live channel.
Guindi's lawyers say that after his arrest he was taken to a police camp in Al-Gabal al-Ahmar in Cairo where he was subjected to torture, before being sent several days later to hospital.
The Popular Current, to which Guindi belonged, said the activist died "as a result of torture."
The presidency said in a Facebook statement that it had asked the public prosecutor to probe Guindi's death, stressing there is "no return to rights abuses of citizens and their freedoms... after the January 25 revolution."
The presidency had also said it deplored what it described as the "shocking footage" of police beating and dragging 50-year-old Hamada Saber during clashes outside the presidential palace on Friday.
The interior ministry ordered an investigation into that incident, insisting it upholds human rights.
But images of Guindi's face bruised and battered on a hospital bed and the footage of Ahmed Saber's beating show how little has changed, according to rights groups.
In a report published on the anniversary of the uprising, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights said police violence was still rampant.
The group said it investigated dozens of cases of torture in recent months, noting "the consistent use of physical and psychological violence against detainees, which in many cases led to death."
Within hours of the news of Guindi's death, furious activists took to social networking sites condemning police brutality and calling for change.
"Youth still tortured & killed in quest for human dignity. Regime oblivious that violence begets violence & brutality is sure to backfire," said leading dissident and former UN nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei.
Tributes have poured in for Guindi on Twitter and Facebook, with activists dubbing him the "new" Khaled Said, a man who was beaten to death by police in 2010 and who became a symbol of the fight against police brutality.
AFP
Mon Feb 04 2013
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.