Clashes break out in Cairo's Tahrir Square

29 June 2011

Protesters are demanding prosecution of former officials to be speeded up

Egyptian police have clashed with hundreds of protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, the centre of February’s uprising, which led to the resignation of former president Hosni Mubarak.

Riot police fired tears gas into the crowds, trying to disperse the protesters. Families of those killed during February’s uprising had gathered outside the state television building to demand that the prosecution of former officials of Mubarak’s regime be speeded up. The protesters later regrouped outside the Interior Ministry and clashes broke out with police.

Witnesses said it was the worst violence in the square for weeks.

Mubarak and his two sons Alaa and Gamal are due to stand trial on 3 August on charges of corruption and the deaths of protesters.

Earlier in June, former Trade Minister Rachid Mohammed Rachid was sentenced in absentia to five years in prison for embezzling public funds.  Former Finance Minister Yussef Boutris Ghali was sentenced in absentia to 30 years in prison on corruption charges (MEED 5:6:11).

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