Egypt to hold Friday million-man march

Egyptians are preparing for another million-man march on Friday to press for their unfulfilled demands, five months after the country’s historic revolution.

People plan to stage a sit-in in the capital Cairo’s Liberation Square to urge the country’s military rulers to end corruption and accelerate the pace of promised democratic reforms, Reuters reported.

The bursting outrage of Egyptians has emerged following a number of recent events in the African nation, including excessive use of force by police to suppress protests and the release of some officers charged with killing demonstrators.

On 27-28 June, security forces resorted to violence against families that gathered in Liberation Square to commemorate the death of their loved ones.

On Thursday, a court in the city of Alexandria dismissed an appeal by the public prosecutor against the bailed release of seven police officers who face charges of killing protestors during the 18-day revolution.

The next hearing for the accused officers is scheduled to be held on September 14.

Many Egyptians also want an end to trials of civilians in military courts and demand that those found guilty of corruption be brought to justice.

“The law is above everyone, and justice has to prevail on all people, young or old,” said Mahmoud Ghzolan, a spokesman for Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, one of the major political parties in the country.

The Cairo-based Arabic Network for Human Rights Information has said more than 10,000 civilians have been sentenced in military courts since Egypt’s uprising began in late January.

Amnesty International has stated that Egypt’s military trials are unfair, against international law, and destroy the criminal justice system.

Several Egyptian rights groups have sued the head of the armed forces for the recent trial of a female in a military court, saying she was tortured and was forced to undergo a virginity test.

She was one of the 17 female demonstrators that were arrested on March 9 in Liberation Square.

Egyptians have also demanded the immediate trial of former president Hosni Mubarak who is due to attend a hearing on August 3 on charges of ordering the killing of protesters as well as abusing his power.