EGYPT: TWO SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR KILLING FIRST MILITARY VICTIM SINCE UPRISING

March 7, 2012: The Supreme Military Court has ordered the death penalty on a couple of civilians for killing a military officer, the first victim of the Egyptian army since the January 25 Revolution.
Ahmed Samir Ramadan was killed on 24 February while being stationed at a checkpoint on Atfih road, south of Cairo, as 24 assailants attacked him out of revenge for gunning down the son of one of the perpetrators.
Two convicts were sentenced to death, three to life in prison, two to 15 years and eight to 10. The rest of the defendants were exonerated.
During the 2011 18-day uprising, which toppled ex-president Hosni Mubarak on 11 February, Egyptian military forces were deployed in the streets after the police all but withdrew following fierce clashes with pro-democracy protesters.
Ramadan, while being deployed in the checkpoint, ordered a pickup to stop for search. The vehicle, however, refused to comply and drove away, hitting metal blocks and a motorcycle in the process.
The deceased officer, subsequently, opened fire on the vehicle that turned out to be loaded with drugs, killing the driver. Two passengers ran away.  
After the fugitives informed their dead colleague's family of what happened, two dozens of armed men went to kill the military officer. They finished him off before police forces. (Sources: Ahram online 7/2/2012)