Pictures of the 28-year-old's battered face and body quickly spread via the Internet, sparking public anger in Egyptian cities that grew into the revolt that eventually toppled President Hosni Mubarak on February 11.

Mostly young Egyptians, draped with national flags, some clutching copies of the Koran, others holding the Christian cross, paid tribute to the man who became a symbol of their uprising and called for justice for the victims of police.

"Khaled Said died but brought the voice of justice to life," said Soha Fathy of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies. "But a year has passed and his rights have not been returned."

Said posted a video that he said showed two policemen sharing the spoils of a drug bust. Witnesses say the policemen dragged Said out of an Internet cafe and beat him to death. Authorities said Said choked on illegal drugs he had swallowed.

Two policemen were put on trial last year, and a verdict is expected later this month.

Reuters