(File Photo)
Photo by: Mohamed Hamza
At least 24 people were arrested in the aftermath of clashes with the police in front of Shebin Al-Kom court in Menufiya on Wednesday.
Hundreds of Ultras Ahlawy members, Al-Ahly football club fans, surrounded Shebin Al-Kom court in Menufiya on Wednesday demanding the release of Mohamed Gamal Helal, a member of the group.
Helal was arrested in front of the security directorate and was charged with vandalism and being a member of the Black Bloc group. The Shebin Al-Kom prosecution decided to detain Helal for 15 days pending investigation.
Protesters fired flares and burned tyres in front of the court, threatening to break into the building unless Helal was released. The police responded with teargas to disperse the protesters.
The Egyptian Centre for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR) published the names of 13 arrested protesters and continues to follow the case.
“The protest was peaceful until the police came; the situation is tense in Shebin Al-Kom,” said Mohamed Abol Azm, secretary of the Egyptian Democratic and Social Party (ESDP) in Menufiya.
He added that lawyers from ESDP, ECESR and 6 April volunteered to defend the arrested protesters. “The Police have to find a better way to deal with protesters than arresting them; this only fuels more anger,” Abol Azm said.
