An Egyptian court on Sunday delivered a preliminary sentence of capital punishment to a policeman for killing 18 protesters during the 25 January revolution that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak, according to judicial sources. The preliminary sentence was issued in absentia, as the accused, Mohamed Abdel Moneim, a policemen in the Cairo district of Zawya Hamra, is still at large.
The same sources added that the North Cairo Criminal Court referred the case to the Grand Mufti to solicit his opinion on the sentence, which will be changed or finalized on 26 June, after the Grand Mufti provides his opinion. However, the Grand Mufti's opinion is not binding, and his opinion rarely contradicts the sentence handed down by a court.
Abdel Moneim was indicted for killing protesters in front of the Zawya Hamra police station by firing a random volley of bullets.
Families of the victims attempted to break into the court before the ruling was issued, but they were held back by security forces.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
