Anniversary of 47 protesters' deaths marked with banners, scuffles

CAIRO, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- A commemoration of the death of 47 protesters on a Cairo street turned physical Tuesday as activists clashed with pro-government supporters, officials say.

The encounter began as supporters of Egyptian Defense Minister Abdul Fattah al-Sisi argued with activists who erected banners marking the second anniversary of the deaths, allegedly at the hand of security forces, Egypt Independent reported.

The verbal arguments with activists, who included members of the April 6 Youth Movement and the Revolutionary Socialists, developed into physical scuffles, although no one was reported injured.

The banners declared Mohamed Mahmoud Street, near Tahrir Square, was closed to "Muslim Brotherhood members, military and remnants of Mubarak regime."

The activists were protesting the lack of government action in prosecuting members of security forces they considered responsible for the 47 deaths.

"Until now none of the criminals has been put on trial, even though judges have received the fact-finding commission's report on the clashes," a group calling itself "We Are Following You With The Report" said in a statement quoted by Ahram Online.

The group said the report, issued by a commission formed by ousted President Mohamed Morsi, names the officers who fired tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds at unarmed protesters on Mohamed Mahmoud Street Nov. 19, 2011.

An officer recorded on video deliberately shooting a protester in the eye is the only member of the security forces who has been convicted. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

The group charged Morsi ignored the commission's recommendations to release their findings to the public, instead giving them only to prosecutors. They also charged Prosecutor General Hisham Barakat canceled a delegation appointed to analyze the report.