EGYPT: Government vows punishment for those who attacked protesters
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Egypt’s leadership vowed Thursday to identify and prosecute anyone found to have attacked peaceful demonstrators a day earlier, provoking bloody violence that left at least five dead and hundreds injured.
Vice President Omar Suleiman told state-run television that those responsible for the mayhem “will be held accountable.” He also said any anti-government protesters detained by security forces would be released unless authorities had evidence that they had committed crimes.
In an apparently related action, the government announced that a public prosecutor was freezing the assets of several former ministers sacked in recent days in response to the protests and that the ousted officials wouldn’t be allowed to leave the country. Those moves were likely intended to prevent them siphoning funds from state coffers for a life in foreign exile.
President Hosni Mubarak has replaced several key ministers in his Cabinet amid the 10 days of protests in demand of his own resignation after 30 years in power. Among those dismissed was reviled Interior Minister Habib Adly, blamed for deploying police to break up what began as peaceful anti-government protests on Jan. 25.
RELATED
U.S., Egyptian officials trade accusations over Cairo unrest Vice President Omar Suleiman blames foreigners, opponents for turmoil --Carol J. Williams
