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Egyptian protests call for accountability

Adam Jablonowski Contributor
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Several thousand Egyptians gathered in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Friday demanding retributions for those killed during the uprising that deposed ex-President Hosni Mubarak, according to the Associated Press.  The demonstrations in Tahrir Square were organized as part of a week of “mourning and anger” before the anniversary of the Jan. 25th revolution.

Anti-military activists claim that the current generals, led by Mubarak’s defense minister of 20 years, have continued the oppressive policies of the Mubarak regime.  The campaign titled “liars” aims to put recent abuses by the military on display and has amassed public support.

Many protesters held signs of lost loved ones and demanded accountability for over a 100 deaths in clashes with security forces since Mubarak’s resignation.  Activists say that court officials have been careless in sentencing police officers accused of shootings during the uprising.  Egyptian courts have allowed officers facing murder charges to stay on the job and have set others free on bail.  The courts are also taking fire from human rights activists for subjecting minor offenders to military tribunals that deliver swift and severe punishments without due process.

Some Egyptians have even called “liars” the beginning of a “second revolution.” State-run media outlets have countered the campaign, criticizing the movement of allegedly receiving foreign funding, and attempting to destabilize Egypt.

With elections in June, many Egyptians believe that the military is the only entity able to run the country.  “Even if (the military) are liars… we are going to get power transferred to civilians in six months, that is not bad, it doesn’t deserve all this noise. Let’s wait and see,” a man named Mohammed Ali told the AP.