(Connor Molloy / DNE File Photo)
The 6 April Democratic Front began a sit-in, on Sunday, in front of the Presidential Palace in solidarity with two men who are in prison awaiting questioning, scheduled for Monday.
The two men are Abdelrahman ‘Mano’ Mohsen and Youseff ‘Joseph El-Ostura’ Ali, who were both arrested in dawn raids on their homes on 19 April. Mohsen is a formal member of the front while Ali is closely associated with the group. The two men are accused of being members of the Black Bloc group.
The front met in front of Saray Al-Qobba metro station on Sunday afternoon, having announced in a statement that they would erect a mock prison cell “which symbolises complete solidarity with the detainees”.
The front’s statement said the Free Front for Political Change and members of the newly formed ‘Hanharrarhom’ (We Will Free Them) campaign would also take part in the sit-in.
Mustafa Al-Hagary, spokesperson for the front, confirmed that the sit-in would be held outside the Presidential Palace. He added that it is not only for Mohsen and Ali, but also for all detainees.
The statement from the group said the demonstration would “demand their [the detainees’] release and denounce violations of the Ministry of Interior, the Prosecutor General and the selective arrests by the Muslim Brotherhood regime and [President Mohammed] Morsi”.
The front has been actively calling for the release of detained activists over the last month. In April they demonstrated outside the New Cairo Court in the Fifth Settlement in solidarity with detained political activists. Also in April, members of the front cycled around central Cairo in order to raise awareness for their cause. Last Friday the group also marched to the Giza security directorate.
The 6 April Youth Movement, a separate group of the same origin, demonstrated outside the High Court on Saturday and also called for the release of detained activists, including Mohsen and Ali.
The front intends to remain outside the Presidential Palace until after Mohsen and Ali are interrogated on Monday, said Al-Hagary.
