Military takes on Egyptian probes

CAIRO, May 4 (UPI) -- Public prosecutors said they lacked the authority to investigate Egypt's former intelligence chief and handed the case to military authorities.

Omar Suleiman, the former head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service, was questioned by public prosecutors for his alleged role in the killing of pro-reform demonstrations during the Egyptian revolution early this year.

Public prosecutors said they don't have the authority to investigate Suleiman and handed the case over to the military. The ruling military leadership in Cairo said it has asked for the files on Suleiman to prepare for an investigation, Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm reports.

Several members of the former regime of deposed President Hosni Mubarak are under investigation for their alleged roles in response to the uprising.

Egyptian Justice Minister Mohamed Abdelaziz al-Juindy was quoted by CNN as saying Mubarak could face the death penalty if convicted of ordering attacks on protesters.

"If the crime is proven, then the court will not hesitate to issue the death sentence," he was quoted as saying.

The trial for former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly and six of his senior assistants was delayed until May 21 to give the defense time to review the charges. A government report from Cairo found the minister issued orders to shoot protesters.

Official statistics place the number of dead at 846 with another 6,400 people injured from Jan. 25-Feb. 11.