Police officer shot dead in Egypt’s restive Sinai

Attacks in the Peninsula have greatly increased since the ouster of president Morsi

By AP 31 August 2013, 4:41 pm

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Supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood chant slogans during a demonstration in Dalga Village, in upper Egypt, Aug. 30, 2013 (photo credit: AP/Roger Anis/El Shorouk Newspaper)

CAIRO — Egypt’s Interior Ministry says gunmen have killed a police officer in the country’s restive Sinai peninsula.

In a statement Saturday, the ministry said the riot police officer was shot in the chest Friday while on patrol in the city of El-Arish.

Attacks against security forces in the Sinai Peninsula have increased since a July 3 military coup ousted President Mohammed Morsi. Since then, his supporters have been organizing regular protests calling for his return.

On Saturday, the Health Ministry raised the toll in Friday’s violence to eight killed and 221 injured — most of them in clashes between Morsi supporters and local residents. Those killed included two police officers shot dead in a drive-by shooting targeting their police station in Cairo.