Egypt: tensions escalate ahead of 19/11 memorial
Demonstrators threw tear gas to the police force in a clash near the Interior Ministry in Cairo. (Photo: Reuters)
(VOVworld) – Tensions are on the rise in Cairo ahead of the anniversary of the 2011 bloody clashes between police and anti-government protestors, and both opposition parties are calling for strikes to mark the occasion.
The week-long clashes that began on November 19th, 2011 in front of the Interior Ministry in Mohamed Mahmoud City, next to Tahrir Square, killed 47 people. Similar violent clashes could take place as both the Muslim faction, in favor of ousted President Mohamed Morsi, and those supporting the military forces plan to demonstrate on the day.
A criminal court in Cairo decided to postpone the retrial of former President Hosni Mubarak, his two sons, 6 assistants, and Interior Minister Habib El-Adly. The delay is blamed on the need to summon additional new witnesses. The trial is scheduled to take place next month.