Tens of lawyers have gathered outside the Lawyers' Syndicate in downtown Cairo on Sunday to protest the alleged killing by police of their colleague. Karim Hamdy was allegedly tortured to death on Wednesday at a police station in the working class district of Matariya, a site for frequent anti-government Islamist protests. The lawyers on Sunday called for retribution and the sacking of the interior minister, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported. A forensic medicine report said Hamdy sustained fractures to his ribs and a cerebral hemorrhage. On Thursday, the prosecution ordered the detention of two police officers over the death. However, their names were not disclosed after the prosecution imposed a gag order on the case. The officers belong to the interior ministry's National Security Apparatus which is responsible for investigating terror-related crimes. Hamdy was accused of involvement in anti-government violence. The lawyer died soon after questioning by the two officers at the police station. The syndicate has blamed police for Hamdy's death, and called for an immediate investigation into the incident. The head of the syndicate, Sameh Ashour, has contacted prosecutor-general Hesham Barakat to demand a speedy investigation. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/124207.aspx
