Mass arrests of protesters in Suez

A state of panic has spread among protesters who took part in the recent demonstrations outside Freedom and Justice Party offices in Suez after a rumour spread that police was arresting protesters. The rumour is based on a number of photographs uploaded to the party’s Facebook page. Galal Farouk, who took part in the protest outside the FJP office on Friday, said :“Party members are publishing pictures of the protesters on the party’s page on Facebook, accusing everyone who was standing outside the party office of ‘thuggery,’ and they have filed complaints using these pictures, on the basis of which we have been summoned.” Farouk said he was summoned to the al-Arbieen police precinct on Saturday and was then referred to the Suez Security Directorate, where he was charged with attempting to break into the FJP office. He was released later that day, after which he received a telephone call from his family informing him that there is a warrant for his arrest and that police informants and policemen are watching the homes of protesters, including his. Galal Farouk was therefore unable to return to his home, along with 20 other young men whose photographs were also taken by members of the FJP in Suez. Farouk insists the photograph of him was taken at the rally and not during the violence that took place later, which he says he did not participate it.