The real number of those killed in Egypt's 25 January revolution is likely greater than that officially announced, the head of the government commission charged with investigating the excessive force by security forces told Al-Masry Al-Youm.
The Egyptian Ministry of Health reported 400 killed and 5000 injured, whereas human rights reports put the number of dead at 1500.
In an interview with Al-Masry, Adel Koura, former President of the Court of Cassation and chairman of the fact-finding commission, said the commission is using judges known for integrity as well as investigators from the National Center for Criminal Research.
Koura did not state the exact number of dead. "I cannot remember the number specifically," he said. "[But] judging by the doctors and witnesses we've met until now, the real number may exceed the [official] numbers."
Koura rejected the idea of setting a timetable for completing the commission’s work.
On 10 February former prime minister Ahmad Shafiq formed the commission, which includes a number of judges and legal experts, to investigate the events of the revolution and specifically the abuse that occurred.
Koura justified delaying the final results, saying that the commission's work should incorporate all aspects of the investigation, "especially if it wants to determine the facts in the whole of Egypt and find out what happened in a way that means public opinion trusts the accuracy and impartiality of our work.”
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
