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At least six men were arrested near the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters in Moqattam on Sunday night by Muslim Brotherhood members alongside the police.
The arrests came hours after the prosecutor general highlighted a law that allows citizens to arrest those who vandalise public and private property, block roads, and prevent public officials from carrying out their duties, among other crimes.
One of those arrested was Ahmed Samir, an Al-Dostour Party member and the sole eye-witness to the death of political activist Gaber “Jika” Salah. Jika was killed during clashes which erupted in the vicinity of Tahrir Square during the first anniversary of the Mohamed Mahmoud clashes in November.
“Samir was watching a game with his friends in Moqattam,” said Ahmed Abdel Rahman, another Al-Dostour Party member. “The police and Muslim Brotherhood members both arrested him near the Brotherhood’s headquarters.”
Ahmed Magdy, an Al-Dostour Party lawyer, said Samir, alongside the other detainees, is accused of attacking the Brotherhood headquarters and attempting to torch it. Magdy denied any truth to those accusations. “It’s all fabricated,” he said.
The Al-Dostour Party’s governing board released a statement following a meeting on Sunday, condemning the prosecutor general’s statement urging citizen arrests. The party said the statement supports some Islamist movements’ attempts to push their members to the streets under the pretext of maintaining security.
Two 6 April Movement (Ahmed Maher front) members were also arrested in Moqattam on Sunday. Alaa Sharara and Shahin Mohtadi were referred to investigation at Zeinhom Court on Monday, alongside the other detainees.
