Fights erupt at Cabinet Building protest trial

Hend Kortam
2 Min Read
Protesters against the Prime Minister and his cabinet use makeshift shields to approach the Shura Council building during clashes with the army in December 2011 (photo: AFP/Mohamed Hossam)

Protesters against the Prime Minister and his cabinet use makeshift shields to approach the Shura Council building during clashes with the army in December 2011 (photo: AFP/Mohamed Hossam)
Protesters against the Prime Minister and his cabinet use makeshift shields to approach the Shura Council building during clashes with the army in December 2011 (photo: AFP/Mohamed Hossam)

Only 19 of the 269 protesters are facing charges for the protests. Twelve people were released Sunday, and the remaining seven will continue to be detained.

Human Rights Lawyer, Ramy Ghanem, who was at the trial, said the protesters were accused of number of charges, including threatening “general security, theft, and attempting to burn institutions.”

“The court did not give a reason as to why some were released while the others weren’t,” said Ghanem.

According to state-run Ahram Online, they are also accused of assaulting military and police officials.

Just as the court postponed the trial to 27 October, the families of the accused fought with the security outside the court. No skirmishes were reported inside the courthouse.

“We were expecting more clashes between the families and the security after the court ruling came out but nothing happened,” Ghanem added.

Last December, a sit-in was staged in front of the Cabinet in objection to the appointment of newly appointed Prime Minister at the time Kamal El-Ganzouri. The protesters were beaten and met with brutal force by military police.

According to Ahram Online, 19 died in the clashes and hundreds were injured.

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