The General Prosecution in Port Said ordered the detention of Haitham Wageh, the coordinator for the city’s housing protests, for four days pending investigations after he was arrested from his house early Sunday morning.
Wageh was arrested on accusations of inciting protests and riots on governorate property. Another defendant was also arrested on the same charges.
The prosecution also ordered 15 days of detention for 15 protesters who were arrested last week after riot police dispersed their demonstration that broke out in the neighbourhood of Al-Sharq.
The protests erupted when dozens of Port Said residents rallied against the alleged sudden increase in the prices of flats and tenant spaces that had previously been booked and for which they had paid deposits. The flats are part of a social housing programme that is sponsored by the government.
One protester, who preferred anonymity for security reasons, told Daily News Egypt in pervious comments that tenants would have to pay EGP 40,000 instead of EGP 10,000 and that the fee increases were forced upon them by the Housing and Development Bank (HDB).
Each individual was previously required to pay only EGP 10,000 in accordance to an agreement made with the Port Said governorate in 2013.
The affected group attempted to contact an official to discuss the issue; however, when they received no response, they resorted to protesting.
