Amnesty International urges Egypt to investigate use of live ammo against Morsi supporters

Amnesty International is calling on the Egyptian government to investigate the use of live ammunition by police to disperse supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi at a demonstration held on Oct. 6.

The human rights group said Monday it determined police used “excessive and unwarranted lethal force” against pro-Morsi demonstrators, based on evidence collected from eyewitnesses and health officials.

The excessive force included attacks with firearms and knives, Amnesty International said.

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Egypt’s Health Ministry said at least 57 people were killed across the country on the day of the bloody crackdown, with most of the deaths limited to the capital city of Cairo.

“The Egyptian security forces patently failed to prevent the loss of life. In a number of cases bystanders or non-violent protesters were caught up in the violence,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, in a statement.

Although some protesters threw rocks and used incendiary devices like fireworks, security forces responded with lethal force that was not necessary, Hadj Sahraoui said.

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According to eyewitnesses interviewed by Amnesty International, as many as 16 people were killed in one incident near Ramses Square after security forces fired shotgun rounds and live ammunition into a group of protesters attempting to reach Tahrir Square.

Political violence has risen sharply since president Mohammed Morsi was ousted in a July 3 coup, with more than 1,000 of his supporters killed and more than 2,000 imprisoned.

“The Egyptian authorities must ensure that its statements do not appear to sanction the excessive use of force to avoid further needless blood being spilled,” Hadj Sahraoui said.

-With files from the Associated Press