(AFP File/ Getty Images / Mohammed Abed)
Students Against the Coup (SAC) protested in front of the Supreme Court of Justice in Ramses street in Downtown Cairo Tuesday, on the anniversary of violence during the 2011 revolution commonly dubbed the “Friday of Rage”.
According to SAC spokesman Youssof Salhen, the protest “started in front of the court but security forces used tear gas to disperse it and police personnel in plainclothes started chasing students into the side streets,” some of whom were arrested at a checkpoint on 6th October Bridge.
Moslem acknowledged that the group intended to continue protesting, but refused to provide details on any escalation plans.
The Ministry of Interior announced in a statement Tuesday that security forces had foiled an attempt “by the supporters of the terrorist organisation [the Muslim Brotherhood]” to block the road in front of the Supreme Court of Justice and arrested 17 protesters.
The statement added that Molotov cocktails, flares and fireworks were found in possession of the arrested. After the dispersal, an explosive was detected in the premises of the court and security forces succeeded in diffusing it.
Clashes with security forces and SAC have been escalating in universities because of the referendum on the constitutional drafts. Salhen had previously told Daily News Egypt in an interview that the students will be protesting outside universities for escalation.
Recent street violence on the anniversary of the 25 January Revolution led to 49 dead, according to the official Ministry of Health death toll, while arrests reached 1,079.
On Friday, 28 January 2011, Egyptians took to the streets on the “Friday of Rage”. Massive protests swept the nation after Friday prayers, calling for the downfall of former president Hosni Mubarak’s regime and chanting the slogans of the revolution: “Bread, freedom and social justice.”
