The Coca-Cola cover up: Egypt police van ‘disguised’

Egyptian social media users on Friday were abuzz over video footage allegedly showing a police van carrying the logo of Coca Cola.

The footage showed the disguised truck, usually used for transporting prisoners, coated in the soft drink company’s trademark red, brandishing the Coca Cola logo.

In response to the video, Coca Cola Egypt announced that the van does not belong to the company, nor would it allow its trademark to be used on state-owned vehicles or facilities.

“This truck does not belong to Coca-Cola and [the company] did not authorize this truck to use its brand. We will take all necessary legal action against those responsible,” said Coca Cola Egypt on its official Arabic Twitter account.

Coca Cola Egypt had apparently released a statement over the incident on its Facebook account. At the time of writing, however, the post was no longer available on the social network

Some social media users said Egyptian police may have resorted to “camouflaging” the van to protect its personnel as many of which have come under attack in recent episodes of violence that has targeted police and army forces.

Others commented on the matter describing it as a move by the interior ministry to deceive the public.

“Is there any agreement between Egyptian security and @CocaCola to use their logo to kill Egyptians?” one Twitter user posted.

“Ask CocaCola: Hey @CocaCola, why are #Egypt police cars painted with your colors and logo?,” asked prominent Egyptian writer Ahdaf Soueif on Twitter.

Some called for boycotting the company until an explanation emerged.

“Boycott @CocaCola. @CocaColaEgypt must explain their support for the brutal MOI in #Egypt Waiting for an explanation,” posted Twitter user Teresa Mohamed ‏@tmoptimist.