CAIRO, Oct. 18 (Aswat Mariya) - Egypt’s interior ministry said on Tuesday that a conscript opened fire at a police officer during a quarrel, killing the officer and injuring another, in Central Cairo.

They were on duty in Garden City, a wealthy residential city in Central Cairo, where a number of embassies reside including the U.S., British and Italian embassies.  

According to the ministry’s statement, the deceased police officer verbally assaulted the conscript and threatened of depriving him from his monthly vacation. The conscript, "who was in a bad psychological state", then fired several gunshots from the weapon assigned to him.

The shooting resulted in the death of the police officer and the injury of another officer standing nearby.

The injured officer was taken to hospital for treatment, according to the statement.

The conscript has been arrested and his weapon confiscated. The prosecution will open investigation into the incident.

In February, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called for introducing legal amendments to the police authority law with the aim of enhancing the security's performance and ensuring accountability.

The president's call came after recurrent complaints of torture in custody and allegations of police abuse.

Sisi reiterated in April that it was important to deter "irresponsible" behavior by police personnel in a meeting with the interior minister.

In August, the amendments had been approved by parliament and ratified by the president.  

Human rights groups and lawyers have repeatedly warned about rampant police misconduct and the deteriorating conditions inside prisoners.

The interior ministry had insisted that the violations are "individual cases" and that the perpetrators are questioned in accordance with the law.