Essam Sharaf, Egyptian Prime Minister, Says He'll Fire Police Accused Of Protestor Deaths

Egypt's Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has ordered the suspension of all police officers accused of killing protestors during the uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak, reports the BBC.

The 18-day revolution that began in January left 846 people dead and many more injured.

In an address on state television on Saturday, Sharaf said Egypt's citizens are "the root of all sovereignty and source of all authority," and also announced that a panel would be created to expedite court cases against accused officers and others accused of corruption.

Sharaf was responding to the thousands of people who gathered on Friday in Cairo's Tahrir Square demanding the military rulers bring those responsible to justice, reports CNN.

There have already been many high-profile arrests, including Mr. Mubarak's sons and many of his top officials. The country's hated interior minister, Habib el-Adly, was sentenced to 12 years in prison on corruption charges, says The New York Times.

But earlier this week, seven police officers accused of killing demonstrators were released on bail, while a Cairo court acquitted three ministers accused of squandering public funds. So far, one police officer has been convicted in more than a dozen court cases, and he was tried in absentia, according to the BBC.

Comments

[Maija Dravnieks]

11:45 AM on 07/10/2011

It is about time. President Mubarak could or should be called back to sift the jerks out who made him lose his job for a few. Hope there are more rooftop gardens, rain collection units, and better treatment for the people there. Someday I will visit,and see how nice. ~ Maija from Detroit

[erinbliss]

09:32 AM on 07/10/2011

Fire them? Shouldn't they stand trial for murder?

[RaWash]

01:55 PM on 07/10/2011

They ARE being tried for murder WHILE still on the job. This is what was driving the people mad! Those policemen even had the audacity of threatening the families of the killed protesters.

[lunar eclipes]

08:12 AM on 07/10/2011

If you pay attention people too the pm words he shouldn,t be the pm,what an insult too those who have been killed!

[lunar eclipes]

08:08 AM on 07/10/2011

What a joke insted of firing them how about murder charges hmmmmmmmm!

[marine1942]

07:11 AM on 07/10/2011

What a sight it must be--Egyptians bowing down to Obama for more money for cops
Some how this will be Bush's fault---

[lslpol]

06:38 AM on 07/10/2011

All in the name of Allah. This is the crowd who want to run the world. If they cant do murder, they cant do anything.

[flwrskmbrly88]

12:42 AM on 07/10/2011

Seriously....that's what he's going to do? I find that vey dificult to believe.

[turnkey44]

10:33 PM on 07/09/2011

They will do what ever it takes to keep the USA aid coming in.

[deepindoubt]

10:22 PM on 07/09/2011

I told you it was a bad idea to kill those protestors....thanks to you I have to look for a new job.

[likes2kayak]

08:52 PM on 07/09/2011

I guess it will be Off with Their Heads!