The Ministry of Interior announced, in a promotional video broadcast Monday, details about alleged “terrorist cells” that were arrested and thwarted during security campaigns ahead of the anniversary of the 25 January Revolution.
The video began by showing footage from security campaigns and clashes between protesters and riot police. It claimed that the National Security Apparatus gathered intelligence about several groups who were planning to commit acts of violence during the anniversary.
The newsletter-like video mentioned a “terrorist cell” that was allegedly established in Gharbeya in November 2015 and showed its members confessing to the camera. One alleged member, named Abdel Rahaman Batat, confessed to planting bombs near a court house in Gharbyia while another member confessed to having attended a meeting in Tanta, in which masked militants gave lectures about street fighting.
Another cell was thwarted in Minya, according to the ministry. The video also showed seven alleged members of the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group who confessed to terror related crimes. The evidence used to prosecute them is “plans to spread chaos in the country during the 25 January anniversary”.
The video then denounced security forces in Giza, Aswan, and Basateen. The latter was allegedly affiliated with militant group Ajnad Misr, which has claimed responsibility via social media, for several bomb attacks against police officers that caused a number of deaths and serious injuries.
The video also announced an investigation concerning the latest attack on tourists in January; gunmen shot at tourists visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza during the Coptic holidays.
Ministry of Interior Magdy Abdel Ghaffar said about 24 gunmen were involved in the attack and were “related to youth movements affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood”.
The video showed a group young men confessing to being the masked men, who gathered in front of a hotel located near the famous touristic site, and then threw fireworks, rubber bullets, birdshots, and Molotov cocktails at the hotel and a tourist bus, thought to transporting Israeli tourists.
The ministry said all defendants were referred to the prosecution where they were interrogated.
One of the many criticisms fired at the Egyptian Security forces is the arrest of individuals without any legal reference and then showing them in videos confessing to crimes and acts of terror.
“The only evidence against these men are the investigations of the National Security apparatus and the fake plans and plots to endanger security,” a Muslim Brotherhood spokesperson said Tuesday, refuting accusations that the group is using violence to oppose the regime.
Days before the fifth anniversary of the 25 January Revolution, police forces arrested politically affiliated activists from different fields in anticipation of mass protests and gatherings. The campaign started as calls for another wave of protests circulate online, calling upon Egyptians to protest.