Coolassprov MC
20-05-06, 15:49
http://www.guardian.co.uk/egypt/story/0,,1778426,00.html
Egyptian security forces beat up pro-democracy protesters
Brian Whitaker and agencies in Cairo
Friday May 19, 2006
The Guardian
Police and security forces cracked down on demonstrators in Cairo yesterday, beating up pro-reform activists and arresting at least 240 members of the Muslim Brotherhood during protests in support of two judges who had complained about fraud in last year's parliamentary elections.
A disciplinary court later reprimanded one of the judges and cleared the other. Their case has become the focus of a campaign for freedom of the judiciary from government interference.
In another blow to political freedom, a separate court refused to consider an appeal by Ayman Nour, the runner-up in last year's presidential election, who has been imprisoned on forgery charges he says were trumped up by the government. His conviction means that he will not be allowed to return to politics after completing his five-year sentence.
Nagi el-Ghatrifi, the leader of Mr Nour's al-Ghad (Tomorrow) party, said the court's decision "reflects the Egyptian regime's persistent rejection of any serious reform and its exploitation of the international community's leniency with Egypt".
The opposition Muslim Brotherhood, the largest of several groups which took to the streets in solidarity with the judges, said 180 of its members were injured in yesterday's crackdown.
In the face of a massive police presence in the city centre, the demonstrators, who also included secular activists, gathered in pockets and dispersed when government thugs moved in to attack them.
In a crowded market near the high court, photographer Tara Todras-Whitehill said plainclothes men backed by riot police had chased about 800 people down the street and beaten up stragglers.
"They took those closest to the end while the other demonstrators dispersed. I saw at least 20 people being beaten with fists and kicks and short clubs," she told Reuters.
Egyptian security forces beat up pro-democracy protesters
Brian Whitaker and agencies in Cairo
Friday May 19, 2006
The Guardian
Police and security forces cracked down on demonstrators in Cairo yesterday, beating up pro-reform activists and arresting at least 240 members of the Muslim Brotherhood during protests in support of two judges who had complained about fraud in last year's parliamentary elections.
A disciplinary court later reprimanded one of the judges and cleared the other. Their case has become the focus of a campaign for freedom of the judiciary from government interference.
In another blow to political freedom, a separate court refused to consider an appeal by Ayman Nour, the runner-up in last year's presidential election, who has been imprisoned on forgery charges he says were trumped up by the government. His conviction means that he will not be allowed to return to politics after completing his five-year sentence.
Nagi el-Ghatrifi, the leader of Mr Nour's al-Ghad (Tomorrow) party, said the court's decision "reflects the Egyptian regime's persistent rejection of any serious reform and its exploitation of the international community's leniency with Egypt".
The opposition Muslim Brotherhood, the largest of several groups which took to the streets in solidarity with the judges, said 180 of its members were injured in yesterday's crackdown.
In the face of a massive police presence in the city centre, the demonstrators, who also included secular activists, gathered in pockets and dispersed when government thugs moved in to attack them.
In a crowded market near the high court, photographer Tara Todras-Whitehill said plainclothes men backed by riot police had chased about 800 people down the street and beaten up stragglers.
"They took those closest to the end while the other demonstrators dispersed. I saw at least 20 people being beaten with fists and kicks and short clubs," she told Reuters.