Egypt's SCAF target of abuse probe

• Tweet

CAIRO, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Relatives of victims of clashes last year between Coptic Christians and Egyptian police called for an investigation of the leader of the former military regime.

Coptic Christians demonstrating against the burning of a church in Aswan province were fired on by Egyptian military police in October 2011. Reports indicated at least 200 people were injured and Human Rights Watch said at least 17 were killed when they were run over with military vehicles.

Military officials denied reports that security forces were behind the deaths. A court, however, said it would investigate Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, leader of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, his chief of staff and top military police officials for their role in the incident, Egyptian news service al-Ahram reports.

SCAF took political control over Egypt following last year's revolution. Its leadership ended with the June election of President Mohammed Morsi.

Amnesty International published reports this week that highlight alleged unlawful killings, torture and other abuses at the hands of the military and police during SCAF's tenure.

The reports alleged that police abuse has been "endemic" since the 2011 revolution. Al-Ahram reports that an internal investigation by SCAF found few faults with its operations last year.