Egypt torture claims probe urged

Hundreds were arrested at a rally in the run up to war

Human Rights Watch has called on Egypt to investigate the alleged mistreatment and torture of people who protested against the US-led war in Iraq.

The New York-based group says police used excessive force to disperse the mass protest in Cairo last March.

After arresting hundreds, officers beat many detainees - some to the point of torture - and failed to give adequate medical care, said HRW.

It called on the Egyptian Government to bring charges against those involved.

A 40-page report by HRW claimed security forces attacked would-be demonstrators gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square on 21 March - a day after a large but mainly peaceful anti-war protest.

"Plainclothes officers viciously attacked protesters with pipes and clubs, and arrested demonstrators and bystanders without cause," said Joe Stork, the group's Middle East and North Africa director.

"Then the jailers beat those they considered to be the ringleaders".

'Unlawfully detained'

Police made 800 arrests although most people were released within 24 hours, said the group.

Of those held over the following weeks, many were allegedly detained unlawfully and some were tortured.

"The government has an obligation to carry out an impartial inquiry and hold accountable those responsible for this brutal behaviour," said Mr Stork.

Activists called for Mubarak to face criminal charges

He said those who ordered, carried out or condoned the attacks should be publicly named.

This is not the first time the Egyptian authorities have been under fire over the protests' crackdown.

In April, activists from Egypt's Hisham Mubarak Legal Centre called for President Hosni Mubarak and other senior officials to face criminal charges for preventing a legally-approved anti-war rally.

They lodged a formal request with the Egypt's prosecutor general for the claims to be investigated - although the group admitted charges were unlikely to be brought.

President Mubarak exercises ultimate control in Egypt under the emergency laws passed in 1981 following the assassination of President Anwar Sadat.

Government officials said the use of force during anti-war rallies - especially fierce during the conflict's opening days - was necessary to prevent the protests from spiralling out of control.