Egypt closes Tahrir, Rabaa Al-Adawiya and Al-Nahda Squares on coup anniversary

Egyptian security forces closed several squares in Cairo and Giza today in anticipation of demonstrations called for by supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi on the first anniversary of his removal.

Security forces also launched a crackdown on a number of homes of Morsi supporters in several provinces, resulting in the arrest of dozens of people, according to a lawyer for the Muslim Brotherhood.

On July 3 last year, the leader of the army, with the participation of religious and political forces following a wide range of popular protests, removed President Morsi in a move considered by Morsi’s supporters as a “military coup” and his opponents as a “popular revolution”.

According to an Anadolu reporter and eye-witnesses, the military and police closed off all the entrances and exits of Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo with armoured vehicles and barbed wire, and prevented pedestrians and cars from entering and exiting the square.

Riot police and armoured vehicles were seen across the square in a state of preparedness.

The same situation was seen in Rabaa Al-Adawiya square, east Cairo, and Al-Nahda Square in Giza, west of the capital, which witnessed huge sit-ins following Morsi’s removal.

The National Alliance to Support Legitimacy and Reject the Coup called, in a statement on Monday, for a national day of demonstrations in Tahrir, Rabaa Al-Adawiya and Al-Nahda squares, under the banner: “Day of anger” on the anniversary of the coup.

The Egyptian government does not permit any demonstrations organised by those who oppose Morsi’s removal in Tahrir Square.

Morsi’s supporters tried to enter the area more than once since July 3 last year; however, security forces clashed with them.

The main streets in Cairo also saw intensive security, with police and armoured vehicles deployed in key areas and squares, as well as the deployment of rapid intervention units (belonging to the police) in the streets of the capital, in preparation for demonstrations called by supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Since the removal of Morsi, supporters have been organising demonstrations and protest activities on an almost daily basis to demand his return.

A reinforced police presence was also in place in front of ministries, government departments and police stations, to guard against any possible attacks.

Meanwhile, one of the Muslim Brotherhood’s lawyers said that security forces have arrested dozens of members of the group, as well as others affiliated with the Islamic group, at dawn today.

Gamal Abdelhamid told Anadolu, in a telephone interview: “Police forces raided the homes of dozens of members of the Muslim Brotherhood and a number of those associated with the Islamic group who support Morsi, in several provinces including Alexandria, Cairo, Giza, Minya), Sohag and Assiut, and Port Said.”

He pointed out that the raids resulted in a number of arrests.

Abdelhamid attributed this security campaign to the call by the coalition of pro-Morsi supporters to hold anti-coup demonstrations today.

The Ministry of Interior was not immediately available for comment.