- ALEXANDRIA, Egypt: An Egyptian court has ordered an independent review of disputed forensic evidence used in the defense of two policemen accused of beating a young businessman whose death helped trigger Egypt’s uprising.
The state forensic report concluded that Khaled Said died as a result of swallowing a packet of drugs. The finding has been widely ridiculed because photos of his battered body showed his face bloodied and his jaw shattered.
Said’s death last year in Alexandria captured the attention of millions in Egypt and helped spark the 18-day uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak in February.
Thursday’s order is being welcomed by Said’s family and raises the possibility that the more serious charge of manslaughter could be added to the indictment against the policemen.