Egypt investigates torture claims

CAIRO, April 6 (UPI) -- Medical reports from lawsuits filed against the Egyptian Interior Ministry indicate many detainees were tortured in prison, a court heard.

An Egyptian court issued a series of rulings against the Interior Ministry on torture claims. A misdemeanor court found that medical reports tied to the claims indicate prisoners were beaten and tortured with electric tools while in custody during unrest early this year, Egyptian daily newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm reports.

Human rights groups accuse former security leaders of ordering forces to use live ammunition against people protesting social conditions and the rule of Hosni Mubarak, who resigned as president in February.

Egyptian Interior Minister Habib al-Adly is accused of issuing orders to his assistants to use weapons to disperse demonstrators from the front of his building in January.

Four officials tied to the Interior Ministry in Egypt were arrested last month by prosecutors for allegedly killing protesters during the February protests.

At least 300 people were killed in Egyptian protests and thousands of others were injured.