Egypt: Morsi orders investigation into protest deaths
An Egyptian man holds a chair with a portrait of president-elect Mohamed Morsi, as others wave their national flags, during a rally in Tahrir Square in Cairo on June 29, 2012 as crowds of Egyptians wait to hear Morsi address his supporters on the eve of his swearing-in as Egypt’s first civilian president.
Mohammed Morsi, Egypt's newly elected president, has ordered an investigation into the near 1,000 deaths that occurred during the protests which toppled Hosni Mubarak.
The Associated Press reported that Morsi, who was sworn in last week, has put together a 16-member committee to reopen files from the popular uprising that caused clashes between police, soldiers, and protesters in February 2011.
The council is comprised of judges, a state prosecutor, a general, a top police commander, and six representatives of victims' families, according to Egypt's Middle Eastern News Agency. They are expected to present their findings in two months.
More from GlobalPost: Mohammed Morsi, Egypt's new president, defies military rulers
However, Egypt's army is largely immune from suffering consequences for their actions, because of laws that only allow the military to prosecute its own officers, Human Rights Watch researcher Heba Morayef told the AP.
"This committee could go some way toward pushing for accountability for excessive use of force … but I don't see it as having the capacity to recommend punishment of military officers," Morayef said.
Last month, Mubarak was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for failing to stop the killings during the 18-day protest that led to his ousting.
More from GlobalPost: Egypt: Hosni Mubarak life sentence sparks protests
The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.
Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.