The police officer charged with intentionally targeting protesters’ eyes during clashes that erupted two weeks ago near Tahrir Square has been detained for another 15 days pending investigation. News sources have alternatively reported the suspect's first name as "Mohamed" or "Mahmoud," and nearly all write the rest of his name as "Sobhy al-Shennawy." Al-Masry Al-Youm has been unable as of yet to verify the suspect's full name.
Shennawy is charged with premeditated and attempted murder of protesters on Mohamed Mahmoud Street, which branches off of Tahrir.
The suspect arrived at the Qasr al-Nil Misdemeanour Court at 1 pm in a private car yesterday. Handcuffed and wearing a white T-shirt and black sunglasses, he entered the courtroom from a back door.
The police accompanying him prevented photographers from taking pictures.
In his investigation, Shennawy said he was not carrying any live ammunition during the clashes.
Faced with internet videos which activists said showed him attacking protesters, Shennawy admitted that it was him in the video but said that the video did not show him firing live ammunition.
He also said that it was unclear if the officer in the video who was saying, “Well done, officer!” was addressing him or someone else.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
