Egypt plans to remove police for involving in crackdown

The Egyptian government on Thursday said it will remove police officers, who were implicated in a violent crackdown on anti-government protests in January.

It also said it will reshuffle other police officers.

Mass demonstration

Analysts said the announcement was designed to lessen popular anger at heavy-handed police tactics ahead of mass demonstrations, which rights groups and pro-democracy activists had called on Friday.

Activists were demanding swifter trials for officials accused of killing protesters during the 18-day uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak and have called for reforms to make security forces more accountable.

Reorientation expected

Reports say more than 800 people were killed and 6,000 wounded during the first days of the uprising, when police used batons, tear gas, water cannon and live ammunition against protesters.

Security official in Egypt said all officers "guilty of the events during the revolution, especially those that took place on January 28” would be retired.

“The reshuffle was designed to change the thinking of the security forces and ensure that police treat civilians with respect,” the official was quoted as saying.

He added that the departure of a large number of major generals will allow lower-ranking officers to be promoted within the Interior Ministry.

Friday of rage

January 28, known as the "Friday of Rage", was one of the uprising's bloodiest episodes.

The violence prompted the army to move in, and the police were later ordered off the streets.

BBC/Shakira/Williams