Custody death sparks riot

CAIRO — A senior Egyptian police official and witnesses say the death of a man in police custody has sparked riots in the southern Luxor province, wounding four policemen and at least one civilian. Police Maj. Gen. Essam elHamli says Talaat Shabeeb, 45, was arrested late Tuesday for drug possession and died of a “sudden health crisis” early Wednesday. Shabeeb’s cousin, Hassan Said, says his family saw bruises on Shabeeb’s body and believes he was beaten to death. The news prompted hundreds to take to the streets in protest, chanting: “The police are thugs!” El-Hamli says the wounded civilian was hit by “sporadic gunfire” intended to disperse the protest.