Egypt Daily Update-November 27:”Approved” Protest in Downtown Top Stories November 27, 2013 • “Approved” Protest in Downtown Cairo • Arrest Orders for Ahmed Maher and Alaa Abdel Fattah • Female Prisoners Released, Left in Desert • Photo of the Day

“Approved” Protest in Downtown Cairo Also of Interest: Despite police intervention to disperse protesters several times in downtown Cairo, activists continue to gather against the protest law that was approved by President Mansour on Sunday. FJP leader calls on Clashes broke out on Tuesday evening between security forces and protesters; around 50 people Muslim Brotherhood were arrested over the course of the day, including several prominent activists. Protests also leaders to retire from occurred in other areas of Egypt; police used tear gas to disperse a demonstration in Alexandria and politics arrested several members of the movement in Aswan. On Wednesday, the Interior Ministry announced that it had received an application for a protest in Talaat Harb that had been approved Sharp divisions split and that it would be permitted to take place from 4:00 to 10:00 pm. The Ministry stated that the Tamarod into application had been submitted by the father of Jika, a revolutionary who was killed a year ago and ‘campaign’ and has become a rallying point for protests, though many participants deny that anyone would follow ‘movement’ the procedures of an unjust law. The Ministry also justified its use of force to disperse the protests by saying that participants had thrown rocks at security forces. The statement also added that Tuesday’s arrests demonstrators had blocked the roads, which is a violation of the new law. As a reaction to the public reveal divisions in outcry at the law, the Prime Minister announced that he would create a committee to discuss the power: Analysts controversial article in the law. The Constitutional Committee has resumed its work on the draft constitution after ten members withdrew from yesterday’s session over the detainment of protesters. According to one member, Mosaad Abu Fajr, the news that the Cabinet was going to review the law had convinced him to continue his work in the committee. He added, “Many will rethink their position in light of the decision from the Cabinet.”

“Interior Ministry allows Talaat Harb protest to go ahead,” Egypt Independent (English) 11/27/2013 “Clashes break out downtown over new protest law,” Egypt Independent (English) 11/27/2013 “Government wavers on Protest Law,” Daily News (English) 11/27/2013 “Authorities allow demonstration against protest law,” Aswat Masriya (English) 11/27/2013 “Egypt security forces disperse protest in Alexandria,” Aswat Masriya (English) 11/27/2013 “Egypt’s Interior Ministry justifies Tuesday protest dispersals,” Ahram Online (English) 11/26/2013 “Egypt PM forms committee to discuss ‘flaws of protest law’,” Ahram Online (English) 11/26/2013 “Constituent Assembly back to work despite protests,” Egypt Independent (English) 11/27/2013 “Egypt constituent assembly resumes sessions,” Aswat Masriya (English) 11/27/2013 “24 activists detained for defying Egypt protest law,” Ahram Online (English) 11/27/2013

Arrest Orders for Ahmed Maher and Alaa Abdel Fattah An Egyptian prosecutor ordered the arrests of revolutionary figures Ahmed Maher and Alaa Abdel Fattah on Wednesday, following their participation in the protests against the decision to allow military trials for civilians and the new protest law. Maher is one of the co-founders of the , which played a large role in the overthrow of President Mubarak in 2011. The two men are to be arrested on charges of inciting protests, according to a source within the prosecutor’s office.

“Egypt orders arrest of two symbols of anti-Mubarak revolt,” Aswat Masriya (English) 11/27/2013 “UPDATE | Egypt prosecutor orders arrest of two leading activists,” Aswat Masriya (English) 11/27/2013 “Egypt prosecutor orders arrest of two leading activists,” Ahram Online (English) 11/27/2013

Female Prisoners Released, Left in Desert According to reports, authorities released 26 women arrested in the protests in downtown Cairo and left them on a desert road in the outskirts of Cairo. Among the women was activist Salma Said, who tweeted that the women were safe and had been picked up by friends. According to Mona Seif, co- founder of the No to Military Trials movement, the women had been released from the police station but refused to leave out of fear for their male compatriots. As punishment, “[Officers] forced us into a police truck and started to hit us… They drove us to different locations and then left us in the desert near the road to Upper Egypt, where cars came to pick us up.” The Interior Ministry denied these accusations and stated that it had released the women after receiving an order from the Interior Minister.

“Interior Ministry denies releasing top female activists in desert,” Daily News (English) 11/27/2013 “Female protesters released, found in desert,” Aswat Masriya (English) “Egyptian female detainees released in desert following downtown clashes: Activist,” Ahram Online (English) 11/27/2013

Photo of the Day

Tear gas fired at protesters in Talaat Harb Square on Tuesday Photo credit: REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany – Eric Spioch (Any questions, comments, or suggestions can be sent to [email protected])