(AFP PHOTO / MOSTAFA DARWISH)
By Aya Nader
Security was on high alert Wednesday evening with Tahrir Square closed off to traffic following calls for protests by supporters of former president Mohamed Morsi .
Protesters tried to head to Tahrir Square first, but intensive security forces closed it down, forcing them to head to Roxy Square in Heliopolis where they burnt down a police kiosk.
“There is a call to head to the presidential palace to protest,” said Muslim Brotherhood spokesperson Wafaa El-Banna. “The situation will escalate in the upcoming days, until 25 January [the third anniversary of the revolution].”
El-Banna added that the Muslim Brotherhood will “unite” people of different political affiliations who “will take to the streets to protest the current situation”.
Security forces arrived at Roxy Square shortly after the police kiosk was torched, dispersing the protest. “Twenty protesters have been arrested from Tahrir Square, and 35 from Roxy Square,” said a Ministry of Interior spokesperson. He added that more arrests were being conducted in other governorates at time of writing.
The constitutional referendum started on Tuesday and ended Wednesday night. The Muslim Brotherhood has called for boycotting the “illegitimate” constitution.
President Mohamed Morsi was ousted by the military on 3 July 2013 following mass demonstrations across the country.
