Ahmed Maher (R), co-founder of the 6 April youth movement that spearheaded Mubarak’s ousting, is greeted by supporters as he comes to hand himself in to prosecutors on November 30, 2013 in the Egyptian capital, Cairo after an arrest warrant was issued on charges of inciting demonstrations against the new protest law. Ahmed Maher was surrounded upon his arrival by dozens of supporters who chanted slogans demanding the release of other detained activists. (AFP PHOTO/ STR)
Ahmed Maher (C), co-founder of the 6 April youth movement that spearheaded Mubarak’s ousting, and supporters shout slogans as he comes to hand himself in to prosecutors on November 30, 2013 in the Egyptian capital, Cairo after an arrest warrant was issued on charges of inciting demonstrations against the new protest law. Ahmed Maher was surrounded upon his arrival by dozens of supporters who chanted slogans demanding the release of other detained activists. (AFP PHOTO STR)
AFP Photo
Egyptian riot policemen throw stones during clashes with protesters who gathered in support of a prominent secular activist who turned himself after being ordered detained for holding a demonstration against a new protest law, on November 30, 2013 in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. Ahmed Maher, founder of the April 6 movement, one of the main groups that spearheaded the 2011 revolt against long-time ruler Hosni Mubarak, arrived at a Cairo court surrounded by dozens of supporters who chanted slogans demanding the release of other detained activists. (AFP PHOTO STR)
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Protests infront of Abdeen Courthouse on 30 November (DNE Photo)
DNE Photo
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On Saturday dozens of protesters gathered in front of Abdeen Courthouse chanting against the Protest Law and calling for the release of the detainees. The protest was organised by the Revolutionary Front, who gave it the name “Turn yourself in”.
“The protest was to show the Ministry of Interior that the revolutionaries are not afraid of their oppression and are willing to turn themselves in, in solidarity with the detainees whose only fault is being part of the revolution” said AbdelAziz [Zizo] Abdo, leader, and often referred to as the voice, of the 6 April Youth movement.
Clashes broke out after a fight took place upon the arrival of 6 April founder Ahmed Maher, when he was called names, thrown with zucchini and assaulted near the main gate of the courthouse.
Maher headed to the side gate of the courthouse, where the Central Security Forces (CSF) was guarding the entrance. CSF soldiers used their batons to drive away the angry mob surrounding Maher, who then started throwing chairs and stones at the soldiers, which provoked the soldiers to use force.
CSF used batons, tear gas and bird shots to disperse protesters, who in turn, used rocks to defend themselves. The residents of Abdeen were agitated by the clashes and asked protesters, who were hiding in side streets, to leave the neighbourhood.
After the protest was dispersed, Abdeen residents started cheering for defense minister General Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi near the CSF vans parked near the court house after patrolling the neighbourhood.
6 April leaders warned their members to avoid downtown and all the famous coffee shops in the area, as they will be targeted by police personnel in plain clothes.
