Egyptian police kill six Brotherhood supporters in protest
Egyptian police kill six Brotherhood supporters in protest
Egyptian security forces have killed at least six supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in protests in Greater Cairo on the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
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Police killed at least six people and injured three in the Eid marches [Getty]
At least six people were killed and three injured on Friday in clashes between pro-Brotherhood protesters and Egyptian police in Cairo, the health ministry said.
Supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi had held small marches after the morning prayers held for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Police officials claimed the protesters attacked a police station in Cairo's Talbiya district, near the Giza pyramids.
Protest clashes were also reported in the village of Nahya, near Cairo.
Police have stepped up their presence during the Eid weekend in major squares around Cairo - including Rabaa Square, as well as in other cities and villages around Egypt to deter anti-government protests.
In the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, police arrested 20 Islamist protesters after they directed fireworks towards police officers, the official MENA news agency reported.
"Clashes broke out [between police and] Muslim Brotherhood members who tried to organise Eid prayers in the east of the city - in violation of government regulations," a police source in Alexandria told al-Araby's Arabic service.
"Police arrested seven and confiscated their anti-government and military posters."
Protests by Morsi supporters have dwindled since he was ousted by the military in 2013, which led to a massive crackdown on Islamists in which at least 1,400 people were killed in street violence.
Hardcore supporters continue to hold small protests that are often confined to one or two Cairo neighbourhoods.
Demonstrations have largely given way to militant attacks, often small bombings and attacks on infrastructure such as electricity towers.
In the Sinai Peninsula, militants affiliated to the Islamic State group have killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers since Morsi's overthrow.
Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood has been blacklisted and thousands of its sympathisers have been jailed.
Hundreds, including Morsi, have been sentenced to death. Most have appealed the verdicts and won retrials.
Protesters risk jail even for non-violent demonstrations under a law that requires obtaining a police permit to demonstrate.
Supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi had held small marches after the morning prayers held for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Police officials claimed the protesters attacked a police station in Cairo's Talbiya district, near the Giza pyramids.
Protest clashes were also reported in the village of Nahya, near Cairo.
Police have stepped up their presence during the Eid weekend in major squares around Cairo - including Rabaa Square, as well as in other cities and villages around Egypt to deter anti-government protests.
 |
Hardcore supporters continue to hold small protests that are often confined to one or two Cairo neighbourhoods. |
In the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, police arrested 20 Islamist protesters after they directed fireworks towards police officers, the official MENA news agency reported.
"Clashes broke out [between police and] Muslim Brotherhood members who tried to organise Eid prayers in the east of the city - in violation of government regulations," a police source in Alexandria told al-Araby's Arabic service.
"Police arrested seven and confiscated their anti-government and military posters."
Protests by Morsi supporters have dwindled since he was ousted by the military in 2013, which led to a massive crackdown on Islamists in which at least 1,400 people were killed in street violence.
Hardcore supporters continue to hold small protests that are often confined to one or two Cairo neighbourhoods.
Demonstrations have largely given way to militant attacks, often small bombings and attacks on infrastructure such as electricity towers.
In the Sinai Peninsula, militants affiliated to the Islamic State group have killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers since Morsi's overthrow.
Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood has been blacklisted and thousands of its sympathisers have been jailed.
Hundreds, including Morsi, have been sentenced to death. Most have appealed the verdicts and won retrials.
Protesters risk jail even for non-violent demonstrations under a law that requires obtaining a police permit to demonstrate.
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