Formed of judges and activists as members, the fact-finding commission formed by President Mohamed Mursi to investigate all incidents of political unrest, during which lives were lost, since the January 2011 Revolution has begun investigating the Maspero incident
Formed of judges and activists as members, the fact-finding commission formed by President Mohamed Mursi to investigate all incidents of political unrest, during which lives were lost, since the January 2011 Revolution has begun investigating the Maspero incident. The series of incidents under investigation include, other than Maspero, those known as the Mohamed Mahmoud, Abassiya, and Port Said stadium incidents.
The Maspero incident, in which 23 Copts and one Muslim met brutal deaths, took place on 9 October 2011 during a peaceful protest by Copts against the burning of a church in Merinab, Aswan. The protesters were shot be the security forces, and crushed under military trucks. Apart from the 24 who lost their lives, more than 300 suffered injuries.
At its offices in Heliopolis, the committee heard witnesses from among the injured and the victims’ families.
The committee##s chairman, Judge Ayman Afifi, called upon the eyewitnesses who had not appeared before the commission to come forward with their testimonies, and to furnish the commission with any photos or video shots they might have of the event. The final report is expected by the end of the month.
Watani International
7 August 2012