Egyptian opposition blames Morsi, police for activist deaths
Author: Nehal El-Sherif
Cairo (dpa) - An Egyptian opposition party on Monday blamed President Mohamed Morsi and the Interior Ministry for the deaths of two of its activists - one of whom was allegedly tortured in police custody.
Mohamed al-Gindy and Amr Saad died Monday in Cairo hospitals.
A health official told state media that al-Gindy suffered from low blood pressure and a suspected brain haemorrhage. However, activists claimed his body bore marks of torture.
Their deaths come amid increasing public anger about police brutality during last week's clashes, in which more than 60 people died across the country.
The Interior Ministry said 396 policemen have been injured in such protests since January 25.
The Popular Current party, led by former presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabahy, said al-Gindy was "tortured to death."
He was reportedly kidnapped by police in central Cairo late January and was found in intensive care four days later.
Saad was injured during Friday's clashes between protesters and security forces outside the presidential palace in north-eastern Cairo.
"The Popular Current assigns the president and the Interior Ministry the political and criminal responsibility for their innocent blood and asserts that it will pursue retribution," the party said.
A funeral was held on Monday for both men in Omar Makram mosque, near Tahrir Square.
Opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei mourned the victims and warned of the consequences of the violence.
"Youth still tortured in quest for human dignity. Regime oblivious that violence begets violence and brutality is sure to backfire," ElBaradei said via Twitter.
The presidency said it is in contact with prosecutors to investigate the activists' death.
During a meeting with heads of the police force to discuss recent security-related issues, Morsi stressed that the Interior Ministry need to deal with people in accordance with human rights standards.
Reports of police abuses during the past regime were one of the triggers of the revolt that led to the ouster of Hosny Mubarak in 2011. Despite promises to restructure the Interior Ministry by post-Mubarak governments, activists still complain of ill treatment and torture in police custody.
The opposition party Strong Egypt said investigations and retribution are needed to restore stability in the country.
"The blood and dignity of Egyptians are the responsibility of the president. Dialogue is pointless until a serious investigation is opened to hold accountable those responsible for the failure to maintain the safety of Egyptians," stated the party, led by former president candidate Abdul-Moneim Abul-Fotouh.
Abul-Fotouh was one of the few opposition members who attended a dialogue session with the president last week.
The National Salvation Front, led by ElBaradei, Sabahy and former presidential candidate Amr Moussa, has rejected the talks.
On Saturday, the coalition said it supports protesters' calls to topple Morsi and to place him on trial for the nationwide unrest.
However, Morsi responded on Monday by saying that "there is no alternative to talks."
The second round of talks are expected next week.
Monday's death came after images showing police stripping and beating a man before dragging him into an armoured vehicle outside the presidential palace during Friday's clashes with anti-government protesters.
The man first denied police abuse and said it was the protesters who attacked and undressed him. However, he later said he lied to avoid more problems with the police. The incident have increased public anger at security forces.
Protests began last month, calling on Morsi to form a national unity government and amend the constitution, amid other reforms. However, as violence continued, more people began calling for Morsi's ouster.
