Egyptian protesters stand in solidarity of political prisoners

Ahram Online , Tuesday 25 Feb 2014

Political activists organise a silent stand on 6 October Bridge to protest political detainees regardless of their affiliation

October
The protesting stand at October Bridge(Photo:Ahram)

Dozens of political activists and protesters participated in a stand on Tuesday afternoon in opposition to the detainment of political prisoners.

The stand began at 6pm on 6 October Bridge, where protesters and activists held banners and photos of political detainees while standing in silence.

 Among the prominent activists who joined the demonstration was Dr. Laila Soueif, the mother of prominent activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah who has been detained since last November for organizing an unauthorized protest against military trials for civilians. Abdel-Fattah has yet to be put on trial.

“The people’s reaction to the stand was nice, some ignored it but many came and cheered for us while others asked in about our banners and the photos we were holding” said Abdel-Fattah's sister, Mona Seif, on her Facebook page. Seif is the founder of the "No to military trials" activist group.

The demonstration was organised by a number of political parties including the Strong Egypt Party, the April 6 movement, No for Military Trials, and Revolutionary Socialists. "We will stand in solidarity with all detainees and demand their freedom, regardless of their political affiliation" read the statement of organising movements.

 A widespread crackdown on Islamists since the ouster of President Morsi in July 2013 was launched by the government where thousands have been arrested and jailed and hundreds killed in clashes between security forces and protesters.

Hundreds of non-Islamist protesters were arrested on the third anniversary of the January 25 revolution.

Both Egypt’s top prosecutor Hisham Barakat and Minister of Interior, Mohamed Ibrahim, have continued to deny the existence of political detainees in Egypt.

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