Rights group: Egypt covering up protester deaths

Rights group Amnesty International on Sunday accused Egyptian authorities of intimidating witnesses and whitewashing evidence to cover up the role of security forces in the killing of more than two dozen people during protests last week. The London-based Amnesty said at least 27 people were killed over three days during protests commemorating the fourth anniversary of the uprising against longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

It said police used excessive force or failed to break up clashes between protesters and residents. Based on testimony from protesters, lawyers, witnesses and video footage, Amnesty said security forces used excessive force, repeatedly firing tear gas, birdshot and sometimes bullets "at random into crowds of protesters and bystanders who were posing no threat."