Another case of alleged police brutality in Egypt, citizen reportedly shot dead by officer in public

In yet another incident of alleged police brutality in Egypt, a police officer reportedly shot dead a citizen belonging to a local Arab tribe in Egypt's northwestern Marsa Matrouh province.

"The deceased, who was in his 30s [reportedly] had an argument with the officer on Tuesday evening outside his grocery store in Sidi Barrani town. The officer was provoked, angrily firing his gun at him three times," a local tribesman told The New Arab on condition of anonymity.  

"[He] died on scene as attempts to revive him failed," the tribesman added.

Army forces intervened to control the riots that erupted a few hours later, as hundreds of tribe members surrounded the local police station and the hospital's morgue where the victim's body was kept, demanding justice.

"The officer in question has been held in custody, but his whereabouts remained confidential to ensure his safety," a police source, who declined to be named, told TNA.

Neither the Ministry of Interior nor the public prosecution's office released any official statements as of yet about the incident till the time of publishing.

The horrendous case highlighted a culture of impunity the Egyptian army and police officers enjoy in the country, sparking the outrage of activists and social media users nationwide.

Last week, an army officer who had allegedly run over a civilian family with his car was referred to an urgent criminal trial before a court-martial over charges of homicide and attempted murder, also after an argument with the victims earlier this month.   

Power abuse and police brutality were among the main driving forces behind the 25 January Revolution in 2011 that toppled the regime of long-time autocrat Hosni Mubarak 18 days later; on top of them was the case of the late Khaled Said, tortured to death by two low-ranking police officers, who are currently serving time.