(AFP PHOTO / TAREK WAJEH)
A march organised by the Ain Shams Students Against the Coup (SAC) to mourn Mohamed Ayman, a student of the Faculty of Computer Science killed last week, was forcibly dispersed by security forces Saturday.
According to SAC spokesman Hazem Tarek, protesters tried to enter the university’s Computer Science building but were held back by administrative security. Tarek said students pushed their way into the building, but left afterwards to march through campus.
Tarek said that the march was forcibly dispersed with tear gas and birdshot with minor injuries to the students. He added that he had not heard news of arrested students.
Protesters in Alexandria burned a police car Friday during marches in support of ousted president Mohamed Morsi, leading to the arrest of ten “Muslim Brotherhood elements”, according to state TV.
The members of the march allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at a Central Security Force vehicle, setting it ablaze. No injuries were sustained in the attack. The march was dispersed with tear gas shortly afterwards.
State-owned Al-Ahram also reported that a police car was burned in Helwan, a south-Cairo suburb. Protesters allegedly dragged the driver out of the car and beat him before setting the car on fire.
Also Friday, students from Al-Azhar University clashed with security forces on their Cairo campus after students organised a march near a campus mosque. Police allegedly confronted the march, leading students to throw rocks and Molotov cocktails. There were no reported injuries.
Students at Cairo University also organised marches in student dormitories, but were similarly confronted by security forces who fired tear gas when they tried to exit.
Friday protests have become common occurrences as pro-Morsi protesters gather after prayers in support of the ousted Islamist leader.
The Anti-Coup Alliance, the largest pro-Morsi opposition bloc, frequently organises marches that gather from various mosques around the country to call for the reinstatement of ousted Morsi and his Freedom and Justice Party government.
Students on university campuses have also staged weekly protests calling for Morsi’s return, coupled with crippling protests at Cairo and Al-Azhar universities, which frequently end with police intervention.
