Activists Mohamed Awad, a founding member and coordinator of the Justice and Freedom Youth, and Mina Michael were arrested Saturday in front of a Cairo Court after getting involved in a fight with a police officer.
Justice and Freedom Youth member Shaimaa Hamdy told Ahram Arabic news website that Awad, who was at the court in solidarity with several activists accused of being Black Bloc members, got into conflict with one of the police officers securing the court after the officer insulted the father of one of those accused.
The fight was only verbal, Hamdy assured, adding that the police officer in turn arrested Awad and fellow activist Michael, falsely accusing them of assaulting authorities and destruction of public property. She also said the police officer violently assaulted the two arrested inside the police station.
Justice and Freedom Youth member Khaled Abdel-Hamid told Ahram Online that Awad and Michael are now facing prosecution, but that there is a chance they might reconcile with the police officer, although nothing is yet confirmed.
Meanwhile, several political groups announced their solidarity with Awad, including the National Association for Change and the April 6 Youth Movement. The moderate Islamist Egyptian Current Party released a statement demanding the immediate release of Awad, describing his arrest as one of many incidents of the targeting of activists, adding: "It takes us back to the days of the ousted regime."
Several activists have been arrested lately. Some are released while still facing charges. Lately, the police has cracked down on tens of people allegedly belonging to the Black Bloc. Several April 6 members have also been in detention for over two weeks.
Awad is a seasoned activist politically involved since the 2004 anti-Mubarak movement. He was arrested in the 6 April strike in 2008. In addition to being a founding member of the Justice and Freedom Youth, he is also a member of the Egyptian Popular Current and the Socialist Popular Alliance Party./9/
