The Guardian claims Egyptian soldiers were responsible for killing protesters Security officials in Egypt have denied reports in British newspaper The Guardian which claimed the country’s armed forces killed peaceful demonstrators during the January 25 revolution in 2011.
Sources have dismissed reports as “rumours” aimed at “tarnishing the image of the military.”
Military expert Mohamed Qadry Said has told Arabstoday the Guardian article “could be right,” but demanded to see official documents which prove the claims.
“The Egyptian military supported the demands of the people during the revolution,” he added. “Armed forces had not adopted the same approach as the country’s Interior Ministry.”
Said also warned of “negative repercussions” that could emanate from such reports.
Fellow defence analyst General Abdel Moniem Katu categorically denied the involvement of Egyptian soldiers in killing demonstrations during the 2011 uprising which ousted former President Hosni Mubarak.
“Soldiers took to the streets to protect the people from the brutality of the former regime,” he said.
“The army is loyal to the people.”
The Guardian published a leaked document on Thursday alleging the involvement of the Egyptian military in the deaths of hundreds of peaceful protesters during the January 25 revolution.
The Egyptian army has refused to comment on the reports.