Protest in support of Palestinians, in Old Cairo
Oct 25, 2023. Posted by Balkan Periscope - Hellas
Cairo.
At least
100 people were arrested in Egypt after taking part in pro-Palestinian
demonstrations late last week, though some have subsequently been released,
lawyers working on the cases said on Tuesday.
State-approved protests against Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip were held at several locations in Cairo and elsewhere in Egypt on Friday.
However,
some protesters in Cairo walked to Tahrir Square - the centre of Egypt's 2011
uprising - which was not among the sites approved for the pro-Palestinian
demonstration. The protesters were quickly dispersed by security personnel.
Unauthorised
public protests are banned in Egypt, and Tahrir Square, which was redesigned
several years ago, is heavily monitored by security services because of its
symbolic status.
"Around
40 of the arrests were in Cairo, 65 in Alexandria, and a few from other
provinces. Fourteen of the detainees from Cairo were summoned to the public
prosecutor's office," human rights lawyer Nabeh Elganadi said.
At least 18
detainees from Cairo were released on Monday "and that number is likely to
rise", he added.
Judicial
officials and an interior ministry spokesperson could not immediately be
reached for comment.
Egyptian
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has overseen a long crackdown on dissent across
the political spectrum during nearly a decade in power.
Rights
groups say tens of thousands have been jailed on political grounds and without
due process, something Egyptian authorities deny.
(Reuters)