Egyptian riot policeman during demonstration in Cairo An Egyptian court sentenced a policeman to 10 years Tuesday for the deaths of 37 prisoners who suffocated on tear gas, one of the most brutal incidents in an extensive crackdown on Islamists. Three other offices were given suspended one-year sentences.
The sentences were the first against policemen for violations during a crackdown on supporters of Mohamed Morsi that has killed more than 1,000 people since the army ousted the Islamist president in July
The prisoners were killed when tear gas was fired into a truck taking them from a police station to a prison near Cairo on August 18.
The officer given 10 years was deputy head of the police station who oversaw the transfer.
The four officers were sentenced for manslaughter after the prosecution's investigation revealed they acted recklessly reckless toward the victims, the sources added.
The incident occurred at the peak of the crackdown against Morsi supporters.
The interior ministry said at the time that police fired tear gas when the inmates rioted as they were being transferred to Abu Zaabal prison in Cairo.
The Islamist Anti-Coup Alliance, which is pressing for the reinstatement of Morsi, had accused police of killing the prisoners as they were being moved.
Tuesday's verdict was handed down after the court heard testimony from seven wounded prisoners.
The court also heard from a justice ministry expert, who said the truck used had a capacity of only 24 people, while they were packed with 45 that day.
The incident came just four days after security forces stormed two sit-ins of Morsi supporters in Cairo, setting off clashes that killed hundreds. Since then, security forces have  continued the crackdown on them.
Egypt's official National Council for Human Rights said in a report this week that both police and armed protesters were responsible for the deaths of 628 people in the August 14 violence.
Amnesty International says more than 1,400 people have been killed since Morsi's overthrow, and thousands arrested. It has repeatedly blamed the security forces for using "excessive" force against Islamist protesters.
Tuesday's verdict may be appealed.
Last month an Egyptian court acquitted six police officers of killing 83 protesters in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria during the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak.
Nearly 850 people died during the 18-day uprising that toppled Mubarak when protesters battled the then-despised police.
In the three years since then, blame for killings during the uprising has shifted to Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood as the police force has rehabilitated itself in public opinion.
Morsi himself and top Brotherhood leaders have been put on trial on charges that could be punishable by death.
Source: AFP