Egypt military personnel to be tried for violence

Egyptian military personnel accused of taking part in violent clashes and human rights violations against protesters will be prosecuted by military courts, an official said on Tuesday.         
As clashes between protesters and soldiers firing guns and teargas entered a fifth day, military officials want to show that anyone accused of having a role in bloody crackdowns on previous protests will be held to account.           

"The media circulated an argument that no legal actions were taken against those who ran over protesters near Maspero and we say that the case is being looked by the Supreme Military Court," head of the Military Judiciary Authority, General Adel Morsi, said in a statement.           

More than 25 people were killed in clashes that erupted during a demonstration by Christians on Oct. 9, an incident now commonly known as the "Maspero" events.           

The latest round of violence, which left 13 dead and hundreds injured, broke out after the second stage of a six-week election for Egypt's new parliament that starts a slow countdown to the army's return to barracks. The military has pledged to hand power to an elected president by July.  

During the Maspero incident protesters said military police used excessive force, firing live ammunition and driving armored vehicles into the crowds. The army defended their action and blamed "foreign elements" and other agitators for the violence.            

Morsi also said cases of reported forced "virginity tests" on detained female protesters last April had also been transferred to the Supreme Military Court.           

Soldiers have been filmed in the latest protests using batons to beat demonstrators even after they have fallen to the ground. Many of those beaten had been hurling stones.              Protesters are demanding the prosecution of army generals holding them responsible for the violence.            

Reuters