Hundreds celebrate imprisoned activist’s birthday in Tahrir Square

Alaa Abdel Fattah’s family celebrated the activist’s 30th birthday today in Tahrir Square. Abdel Fattah is currently detained by the Egyptian military over his supposed involvement in the bloody October 9 Maspiro clashes that left 27 dead. Hundreds of protestors, political activists and celebrities shared in the celebration with Abdel Fattah’s family. Alaa’s wife, father, mother, and two sisters brought a cake with Alaa’s photo to the square. Alaa’s wife, Manal, is nine months pregnant with the couple’s first child. They plan to name the baby Khaled after Khaled Said, whose death in police custody in June 2010 is considered to be one of the sparks of Egypt’s January 25 Revolution. The attendees repeated slogans supporting Abdel Fattah and against military trails for civilians.