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Egypt: Five killed on the first Friday after Al-Sisi's presidency bid announcement

April 12, 2014 at 1:24 pm

Egyptian security forces shot dead four protesters and one female journalist, during anti-coup protests in Ain-Shams neighbourhood in the Egyptian capital Cairo Friday. The violence came few days after the country’s Minister of Defence announced his resignation and his intention to run for president.


According to official figures from the Ministry of health, Friday’s violence led to the killing of 5 and injury of 22 protesters across the country.

Police forces used lethal force against protesters, including live bullets and birdshots.

Mayada Ashraf, a 22-year-old female journalist, has been shot dead with a live bullet in her head. According to eyewitnesses, including Mayada’s colleagues, she has been shot by police who fired live ammunition and birdshots indiscriminately towards protesters.

Opponents of the July 3 military coup staged massive nationwide protests on Friday following Al-Sisi’s presidency bid announcement. Protesters condemned the mass death sentences against 529 Morsi supporters and the unprecedented human rights violations committed by the military -led authorities.

Thousands joined anti-coup marches in the densely-populated eastern Cairo districts of Ain-Shams and Matareyya. Protesters chanted against Al-Sisi’s presidency aspirations and called for an end to the military coup and the restoration of democracy.

In Cairo’s upscale Maadi district, thousands marched towards Swaras square, chanting against the military coup and its leader Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi. The protest was confronted with security forces who fired tear gas to disperse it.

In Al-Dokki district in Giza governorate, opponents of the coup held morning protests, chanting “Sisi, ruiner, get out of Egypt!”

In Sharqeya governorate, anti-coup protesters held marches and human chains in a number of towns, calling for the return of “legitimacy” and the reinstatement of the elected president Mohamed Morsi.

On the other hand, supporters of Al-Sisi held supporting events in Abdel Monem Riyad and Tahrir squares in Cairo, which are currently banned for Al-Sisi opponents.

The Anti-Coup Alliance called for nationwide protests on Friday to express rejection of Al-Sisi presidency bid. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Alliance said: “The coup commander dragged the Egyptian army with him into the quagmire of the political arena, threatening its integrity and cohesion. He is a presidential candidate whose hands are heavily stained with the blood of thousands of innocent patriotic Egyptians, amidst abject failure in all areas and unprecedented darkness and despair across the nation.”