Court sentences low-ranking police officer to life in prison for killing 'Rehab vendor'

Cairo Criminal Court sentenced a low-ranking police officer to life in prison for killing street vendor in Rehab city, New Cairo.

The court heard testimonies of prosecution witnesses which showed that circumstances of the accident indicate his intention of killing the victim.

Witnesses' testimonies and forensic medicine reports showed the suspect had an intention of murder using his weapon.

The bullets against the victim were shot from a near distance in accordance with the details mentioned in the medical report, the court said on Thursday.

Mostafa Ahmed, was shot dead in April by a low-ranking police officer al-Sayyed Zenhom in al-Rehab City.

According to a statement released by the Interior Ministry, the shooting followed a disagreement over the price of a drink, which turned into a fight between Ahmed and the others against police officer al-Sayyed Zenhom. Zenhom shot Ahmed and injured two passersby with his gun during the fight in Rehab City, the statement added.

The incident is the latest in a series of alleged police attacks and confrontations between citizens and police officers.

Similar incidents have occurred over the past few months, in which low-ranking police officers have killed or assaulted citizens in fights with use of their firearms.

In January, a string of claims that police officers had abused doctors in hospitals sparked calls from the Doctors' Syndicate for police to be brought into line.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm