Hundreds protest to remember clashes

Hundreds of protesters massed outside the Ministry of the Interior headquarters near Tahrir Square yesterday to mark the anniversary of the Mohammed Mahmoud clashes. Armoured army and Central Security Forces vehicles surrounded the building and business owners in the area closed down for the night, fearing a repeat of last year’s violent clashes in the same street. Protestor Sayed Abdultwwab told Arabstoday that the demonstrators are demanding retribution from the former Supreme Council for the Armed Forces (SCAF) leaders, and simultaneously criticising President Mohammed Morsi for granting these military figures “a safe exit.” A number of protestors in Yussef al-Gendy St. tried to tear down concrete blocks in an attempt to reach the ministry headquarters. Security forces were pelted with stones and empty bottles, whilst photojournalists were forced out and prevented from taking photographs whilst protestors tore down the barricade. Another protestor, Mohammed Abdulrahman demanded Qisas against those responsible for “killing the martyrs” during the clashes last year which resulted in 36 deaths. A third protestor, Hussein Abdulaal, said “the Supreme Council committed massacres while in power, especially in Mohammed Mahmoud St.” Abdulaal added that he was “Beaten with a baton by a Central Security soldier in the same street last year,” and is yet to be treated for his injuries. Protestors retreated to the nearby Tahrir Square after security forces fought back with teargas. Munira Public Hospital received 20 injured and eight more were hurt in violence in the perimeter surrounding the headquarters.