A lawyer representing Ahmed Ramzy, former Central Security Forces (CSF) head, on Wednesday called for the court to acquit his client due to the ambiguity of the charges leveled against him, according to state-run Al-Ahram newspaper’s website. The proceedings are being conducted as part of the trial against ousted President Mubarak.
Ramzy — along with former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly, Mubarak, and five other top security officers — faces charges of ordering security forces to kill protesters during the revolution. The former president, his sons and businessman Hussein Salem also face corruption charges.
Ramzy headed CSF during last year's 18-day uprising, during which an estimated 846 protesters were killed and thousands were wounded. Videos show Central Security trucks running over protesters, particularly on Qasr al-Nil Bridge, which leads to the square.
Contrary to accusations, Ahmed Ramzy gave instructions that firearms should not be used in dealing with demonstrators, according to Nabil Medhat Salem, Ramzy's lawyer.
Ramzy was also responsible for ordering the withdrawal of the Central Security Forces, he said.
“Whoever killed peaceful protesters is not part of the police forces, and identifying those responsible is not the task of the defense but of the prosecution. The prosecution has indicted the defendants in a generalized manner and without evidence," Salem said.
Salem added that the prosecution did not mention how the defendants instigated police officers to kill demonstrators and from where they got these orders.
There is no evidence to prove that his client is guilty of murder or attempted murder, he said, and described alleged orders to kill demonstrators as “an illusion.” He added that no Interior Ministry official issued such orders and no eyewitness testified to that effect.
The court heard Salem’s arguments over two sessions. The rest of Ramzy’s defense team is to deliver arguments in the coming sessions, and the Cairo Criminal Court is slated to continue hearing Ramzy's defense on Thursday.
