Egypt clears 14 policemen of killing protesters

The Cairo criminal court cleared on Thursday 14 suspects accused of killing protesters outside the Shubra and Marg police stations on January 28 2011, commonly known as the "Friday of Rage". The public prosecution referred 12 policemen from Marg police station to court on charges of killing two protesters and attempting to kill a third. It also charged two other policemen in the deaths of two protesters and attempted murder of a third outside Shubra police station. The defence team argued that the prosecution had no evidence against their clients and also said the suspects were not present at those locations during the incidents in question. State-run Al-Akhbar newspaper said the victims' families present outside the trial expressed anger upon hearing the verdict, with some of them fainting. Others reportedly tried to enter the court room, but were prevented from doing so amid the tight security. More than 800 people were killed during the uprising that led to ouster of former president Hosni Mubarak, many outside police stations. Various criminal courts have acquitted police officers from the Hadayek al-Kobba, Sayeda Zeinab and Salam police departments on similar charges.