An international rights group has accused Egyptian authorities of committing regular abuses of human rights in the name of national security.
Amnesty International issued a report Wednesday that describes arbitrary arrests, prolonged detention without trial, torture and other ill-treatment by security officials in Egypt.
The group also condemns the use of special emergency and military courts to try civilians of security offenses, and says such proceedings are unfair. Amnesty says some of those tried have been sentenced to death and executed.
An official with the London-based group, Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, says thousands of Egyptians have been imprisoned in the name of security, and that some have been held without trial for years.
Amnesty International urged Egypt's government to ensure that a planned new anti-terrorism law does not lead to further human rights abuses.
Egypt has not yet responded to the report.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP.