Egypt court acquits all defendants in El-Sabagh protesters trial

An Egyptian misdemeanour court acquitted Saturday 17 people who were charged with ”illegally protesting” as they took part in the peaceful march 24 January, during which activist Shaimaa El-Sabagh was shot dead.

El-Sabagh was shot while heading — with around two dozen peaceful marchers, mostly members of the Socialist Popular Alliance Party — to Tahrir Square to lay flowers in memory of those who were killed during the 25 January 2011 uprising.

The 17 defendants came forward to testify in investigations of El-Sabagh’s killing, but were later charged by the general prosecution.

Fourteen of the defendants belong to the Socialist Popular Alliance Party, like El-Sabagh, while three do not.

The prosecution previously said investigations revealed El-Sabagh died from wounds sustained from “light birdshot” that a Central Security Forces (CSF) officer fired at her and other protesters.

The policeman was charged with “beating that led to death.” He is currently being tried.

source:Ahram online