Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Egyptians decry ‘virginity tests’ on protesters | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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CAIRO, (AP) – Egyptian activists and bloggers are pressing Egypt’s military rulers to investigate growing accusations of abuses against protesters, including claims that soldiers subjected female detainees to so-called “virginity tests.”

Bloggers say they will hold a day of online protest on Wednesday to voice their outrage. Amnesty International raised the accusations of virginity tests in a May report. It said 18 female protesters held in military detention reported that they were threatened with prostitution charges and forced to undergo “virginity tests.” They also said the were tortured, beaten up and given electric shocks.

The allegations surfaced after a crackdown on a March 9 protest in Cairo by crowds calling on the military to speed up a transition to democracy after Hosni Mubarak’s ouster.