60 Members of the MB and Kefaya Arrested on Eve of Judges’ Trial

On the eve of judges Bastawisi and Mikki’s trial on May 18, state security police launched a campaign against opposition arresting 60 Muslim Brotherhood protestors in the governorate of Menofya on Wednesday while participating in a rally supporting the two reformist judges. Police forces used tear gas to disperse the largely peaceful demonstration.

Dr. Mohamed Ali Bisher, prominent member of the Muslim Brotherhood Executive Bureau, was among the demonstrators in Menoyfya and stated to Ikhwanweb “I was stunned by the vicious manner the police used to stop the demonstration which was called for by all political parties in Menoyfya in addition unions and different political forces. . . As soon as the speeches ended, we were flooded with tear gas canisters thrown by police without any warning”.
Dr. Bisher called upon the Egyptian regime to revert to wisdom and treat the people with dignity and not to rely exclusively on the security apparatus in handling the demands for reform.

Thousands more demonstrated in several major cities across the country in support of the two reformist judges. Police continued to use its heavy handed measures against demonstrators.

More than 340 Muslim Brotherhood members and Kefaya were arrested on May 11 during demonstrations in support of the pro-reform judges Hisham Bastawisi and Mahmud Mikki who are being trying before disciplinary court for their outspoken criticism of the government and refusing to approve the results of November 2005 elections which they believe was rigged to favor government’s candidates.

Since its significant victory in last parliamentary elections, the Muslim Brotherhood has been the target of a constant campaign of arrests across the country. More than 400 members of the MB are still in custody without trials. 

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