Police: I didn't do it. All these orders came from senior leaders. This is not our fault

[aGameOfThrones]

The police, hated for their brutality and corruption under decades-old emergency laws, marched Sunday through Tahrir Square to the Interior Ministry, which oversees them. They demanded better pay and conditions, but also sought to absolve themselves of responsibility for the police's attempted crackdown at the start of the protests that killed many demonstrators.

"You have done this inhuman act," one of the Tahrir protesters said to the police. "We no longer trust you."

Hearing the accusations, Said Abdul-Rahim, a low-ranking officer, broke down in tears.

"I didn't do it. I didn't do it," he implored. "All these orders were coming from senior leaders. This is not our fault. "

About 2,000 police demonstrated, at times scuffling with soldiers who tried to disperse them. Some troops fired gunshots in the air, but later withdrew to avoid antagonizing the protesters. A few tanks remained outside the ministry to protect it.

"This is our ministry," the police shouted. "The people and the police are one hand," they chanted, borrowing an expression for unity.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110213/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt


Doesn't it remind you of, "they're just doing their jobs"?

[JK/SEA]

I guess those cops don't understand what the term 'discretion' means.....i hope the people set an example with this asshole.

[Brooklyn Red Leg]

Doesn't it remind you of, "they're just doing their jobs"?

Still get's you a date with a hangman's noose last time I checked (and no, I'm not advocating for The Death Penalty, just stating a fact). "I was only following orders" is no defense.

[Freedom 4 all]

I wonder if "I was just following orders" would work in court for convicted hit men and assassins from non-government organizations like the Mafia or street/biker gangs. If not, why the hell should it work for these fuckers? They accepted a certain job where there's a hierarchy and they had to follow orders to do horrible things to their fellow man. Mob contractors did the exact same thing.

[Bern]

Sounds like don't have any Oath Keepers (http://oathkeepers.org/) over there.

[Pericles]

Sounds like don't have any Oath Keepers (http://oathkeepers.org/) over there.

At least not with the police - and I would argue that is even more important than the military. Oppression starts with the police, if they refuse to do it, the less likely it is that the military will override a police decision.

[Anti Federalist]

Meanwhile, in the land of the free:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFNDK8PQGNw

[heavenlyboy34]

AF, did anything happen to the perpetrator(thug in blue) in that vid^^, or was he just put on "paid leave pending investigation"?

[virgil47]

I wonder if "I was just following orders" would work in court for convicted hit men and assassins from non-government organizations like the Mafia or street/biker gangs. If not, why the hell should it work for these fuckers? They accepted a certain job where there's a hierarchy and they had to follow orders to do horrible things to their fellow man. Mob contractors did the exact same thing.

How about the U.S. military that follow the orders of a maybe president. Should they all be prosecuted if it turns out he is not truly the president?