CAIRO, June 1 (UPI) -- Twenty-two Egyptian human rights groups called Wednesday for the dismissal of the interior minister for the abuse of anti-government protesters.
A joint statement released by the coalition also called for a public trial of police who committed violence against demonstrators who were protesting a referendum to amend the constitution last week.
"We call for the dismissal of Interior Minister Habib al-Adli on the ground that he is the main politico responsible for the security forces and riot police who committed shameful acts and sexual harassment against protesters," the statement said.
It charged plain-clothed police and members of the ruling National Democratic Party of President Hosni Mubarak beat up many protesters and police refrained from interfering.
"We call on President Mubarak in his capacity as the president of the ruling party to conduct a probe with party leaders who directed on the field the shameful crackdown against the peaceful protesters," the statement added.
