Egypt admits police abuse claims

The Egyptian Ministry of Interior has admitted that a number of police officers committed violations against prisoners inside places of detention, Al-Jazeera reported.

The ministry recently investigated three police officers who were allegedly involved in the “desecration of a corpse” inside the Khanka hospital in the Qalyubia governorate. According to a statement by the ministry, the Minister of Interior Mohamed Ibrahim has referred the three officers to a disciplinary board after their release pending investigations.

Moreover, the ministry said it referred a police officer to the public prosecutor on charges of raping a mentally ill girl.

Human rights organisations accuse Egyptian police of systematic abuses against detainees, while police officers involved in acts of torture usually enjoy impunity despite video evidence implicating them.