Protests outside trial of Egypt security aides

CAIRO - Riot police fired tear gas Saturday to disperse dozens of demonstrators throwing rocks outside an Alexandria courthouse where the city's ex-security director and other officers are on trial in the killing of protesters during Egypt's 2011 uprising.

The confrontation comes a week before the country marks the second anniversary of the revolt that ousted longtime autocratic ruler Hosni Mubarak, and highlights the frustration expressed by many over the pace of reform in the Arab world's most populous nation.

Alexandria's former security director, Mohammed Ibrahim, is on trial along with five other police officers accused of using excessive violence to put down the 18-day revolt. In Alexandria, as elsewhere in Egypt, thousands of protesters have taken to the streets over the last two years to demand retribution for those killed in clashes with security forces.

Relatives of the dead say they have little confidence in the justice system or police investigations.

"It is one long chain of corruption," said Ramadan Ahmed, whose 16-year-old son, Mohammed, was shot dead in clashes outside an Alexandria police station.

Since Mubarak was deposed on Feb. 11, 2011, nearly 100 police officers have been brought to trial on charges of killing and wounding protesters, although have been acquitted or received suspended sentences.