Clear cut? Egyptian police force to face disciplinary board over beard

Splitting hairs: legislation unclear about Egyptian bearded policemen but could still face disciplinary board.

A State Council adminstrative court declared Saturday support for a decision by the interior ministry to send bearded policemen to a disciplinary board.

The court’s ruling also stipulates that the court is not competent to hear the appeal filed by the suspended policemen demanding their return to work.

In January, a report was issued by an administrative court's state commissioners authority stating that beards do not conflict with the 1971 Police Law and that growing beards would not negatively affect the public.

On 20 February, the Supreme Administrative Court ordered the return of the bearded policemen to their work, after they were suspended for growing beards.

The court order, however, was never implemented. The suspended policemen earlier told Ahram Online that they were told that the interior ministry did not have the authority to implement the court ruling and it would require instructions from the president.

The bearded policemen's case came under the spotlight after parliamentary elections in 2012.

Tens of bearded policemen have been staging a sit-in for several months near the interior ministry headquarters, saying it is their right to grow their beards and keep their jobs in the force.