AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

PUBLIC STATEMENT

AI Index: MDE 12/006/2009

23 February 2009

Egypt: Amnesty International condemns bomb attack in Cairo

Amnesty International condemns the bomb attack perpetrated on 22 February in the area of Khan al-Khalili in the capital Cairo, which killed at least one person and injured 25 others, most of them tourists. According to the Egyptian authorities the person killed was a 17-year old French girl on a tourist visit to Egypt.

The explosion targeted the historic bazaar area of the Khan al-Khalili, which is one of Cairo’s main tourist attractions. The area was previously subject to a suicide attack in April 2005. While no one has claimed responsibility for the bombing, the authorities said they have arrested three suspects for questioning in connection with yesterday's attack.

Such deliberate attacks against civilians can never be justified under any circumstances. Amnesty International has repeatedly condemned suicide bombings and other attacks against civilians carried out by armed groups in the region and elsewhere.

Amnesty International calls for a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the attack. Those found responsible must be brought to justice in proceedings that meet international standards of fairness, and without the imposition of the death penalty.

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