20100703
reuters

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's public prosecutor has sent two policemen for trial on charges of torturing an activist, who rights groups said may have been beaten to death by officers after he exposed alleged police corruption.

The state news agency MENA reported on Saturday that the two would stand trial on charges relating to Khaled Said, 28, whose death on June 6 drew public protests and raised concerns among Egypt's U.S. and European allies and donors.

Rights groups say Said was beaten to death outside an Internet cafe in the port city of Alexandria after he had posted an Internet video that purportedly showed two policemen sharing in the spoils of a drug bust.

According to the Ministry of Interior, Said died by choking on a roll of drugs.

The authorities began investigations into the two policemen last Wednesday. No charges of murder have ben raised over Said's death.

U.S.-based Human Rights Watch has said there was evidence that two plainclothes policemen killed Said and the state had failed to explain signs of beatings on his body.

An EU statement last week, drawn up by ambassadors, expressed concern about the case but the Foreign Ministry summoned envoys in protest, saying the move was "unacceptable interference" in Egypt's affairs.