Military council hastens to distance itself from contentious remarks by ex-officer who called for anti-govt protesters to be `sent to Hitler`s ovens`.
Egyptian Defense Attaché in Washington DC Mohamed El-Kashaki has clarified that recent statements by retired major-general Abdel Moneim Kato regarding the treatment of anti-government protesters did not reflect the opinions of the Egyptian Army or Egypt’s ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF).
Kato stirred controversy both inside and outside Egypt last week after saying in the media that Egyptian protesters currently camped out in Tahrir Square to demand an end to military rule should be “sent to Hitler’s ovens.”
In a statement issued on Friday, El-Kashaki said the media’s description of Kato as an “advisor” to the SCAF was not in fact his official position. While stressing his respect for retired military officers, El-Kashaki also pointed out that Kato had been technically considered a civilian since his retirement.
The defense attaché went on to stress the SCAF’s respect for protesters’ freedom, pointing out that official SCAF statements were only published on the military council’s official Facebook page.
[Produced in partnership with Ahram Online.]
From Jadaliyya Editors:
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