Dozens of activists organized a march on Thursday to demand speedy investigations into the Maspero violence that claimed the lives of 27 protesters and one military soldier on 9 October. The violence, which erupted during a protest led by Coptic Christians outside the Maspero state television building in Cairo, has caused an outcry among human rights groups and activists. The Maspero Youth Union, a Coptic activist group, has criticized the decision to refer investigations of the incidents to military prosecutors as it believes the military itself is responsible for assaulting the protesters. On Wednesday, a report by the National Council for Human Rights recommended an independent fact-finding panel be assigned to investigate the Maspero violence. The rally on Thursday began at 5 pm in the neighborhood of Shubra and ended in Tahrir Square. Several political activists and citizens joined the march and chanted slogans critical of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF). The protesters demanded leaders of the military police, responsible for what they described as the “Maspero massacre,” be put on trial. They also demanded the SCAF hand over power to civilians, adding that the ruling military council is “following Mubarak regime policies.” Participants in the rally also voiced their anger with state TV coverage of the incident, calling it “deceptive media.”
