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Ban condemns ambush on police officers in the Sinai

Demonstrators clash with police in central Cairo, Egypt.
IRIN/Amr Emam
Demonstrators clash with police in central Cairo, Egypt.

Ban condemns ambush on police officers in the Sinai

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today strongly condemned the latest ambush in the Sinai of Egyptian police officers, following earlier reports of dozens of prisoners killed while in police custody.

“The Secretary-General expresses the hope that the perpetrators will be swiftly identified and brought to justice,” his spokesperson said in a statement in reference to the incident.

At least 25 police officers were killed when two mini-buses were ambushed earlier today.

The attack follows reports of 36 prisoners in police custody killed Sunday night as they were being transferred from one facility to another.

Mr. Ban is also deeply disturbed by the reported deaths, his spokesperson said, and called for a full investigation to ascertain the facts surrounding this incident.

The UN chief has extended his condolences to the families of the victims.