Audio By Carbonatix
An Egyptian man dragged naked through the streets of Cairo by police has admitted security forces were to blame, after earlier blaming protesters.
Hamada Saber's beating by uniformed officers was filmed and aired on state TV on Friday as angry crowds targeted the presidential palace.
From his police hospital bed the 50-year-old painter initially said protestors had stripped and beaten him, with police coming to his rescue.
But he later said police were to blame.
He said that he had been coerced into giving a false account. His son told the BBC that had he accused the police, they would have accused him of carrying petrol bombs at the demonstration.
Mr Saber said police had subsequently apologised to him for any wrongdoing.
Islamist President Mohammed Morsi has condemned the isolated incident and, in an unusual move, called for an enquiry.
But government opponents say the "crime against humanity" has "dire consequences for justice".
"That he be forced to amend his testimony before the Public Prosecution is tyranny," tweeted Nasser Amin, a lawyer and campaigner for judicial independence.
'Collapse of the state'
Friday's clashes saw police using tear gas and water cannon against rock-throwing protesters after a week of violence in which dozens died.
One person was reportedly killed and more than 50 injured.
The protesters accuse Mr Morsi of betraying the aims of the 2011 uprising - a claim he denies.
In a statement on his Facebook page, the president warned that security forces would "act with utmost decisiveness" to protect state institutions and those groups behind the violence would be held "politically accountable".
The current unrest began on 24 January in Cairo on the eve of the second anniversary of the revolution and has spread to several cities.
On Tuesday, Egyptian army chief Gen Abdul Fattah al-Sisi warned that the political crisis could lead to the collapse of the state.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Pastor, two others remanded over attempt to bury baby alive
5 hours -
Champions League semi-final: Arsenal held to draw by Atletico in first leg as late penalty overturned
5 hours -
Calls grow to strengthen Ghana’s Special Prosecutor to tackle corruption
5 hours -
Next JoyBusiness Roundtable Discussion comes off tomorrow — reviews Government’s economic narratives against reality
5 hours -
Central Regional Health Directorate probes maternal death at Kasoa Mother and Child Hospital
6 hours -
GNECC launches 2026 Global Action Week for Education, focuses on bridging digital divide
6 hours -
Stanbic Bank equips Ashanti journalists with financial skills to boost resilience
6 hours -
Tom Saintfeit steps down as Mali head coach after two years in charge
6 hours -
China hands over $56.5 million ECOWAS HQ in Nigeria, expanding influence in West Africa
6 hours -
Ghana’s UN resolution seeks restitution and healing, not development funding – Ablakwa
6 hours -
EPA urges public to curb noise pollution on International Noise Awareness Day
7 hours -
Xenophobia: Centre for Global Affairs and Responsible Governance urges AU intervention in South Africa
7 hours -
Maxwell Lukutor secures major funding for three SHSs, 24-hour market in first term push for South Tongu Constituency
7 hours -
Ntim Fordjour demands probe into ‘indecent’ scenes at Accra Carnival
7 hours -
El Niño Alert: Why a possible 2027 heat record could signal droughts, floods and flood risks for Ghana
7 hours