Egypt: Dozens of opposition supporters arrested and abducted

The streets of Egypt are currently locked in a state of suspense in the lead-up to the upcoming legislative elections due to take place on 1 June 2010. As ElBaradei's "Movement for Change" and the Muslim Brotherhood begin to further harmonize on the ground level, Egyptian security forces have upped their efforts to suppress public opinion. The recent extension of Egypt's Emergency Law until 2012, means that opposition activists, politicians and leaders can be easily harassed. Although the Muslim Brotherhood has been the prime target in recent times, a policy of enforced disappearance, arbitrary arrested and torture has now been extended to the majority of the supporters of government opposition groups.

Recent arrests

Troops belonging to the State Security Investigative (SSI) forces supported by the central security services carried out a widespread campaign of arrest in various Egyptian governorates set to stage the upcoming legislative elections. Dozens of members of the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as other opposition parties set to participate in the elections were arrested. Their arrests mean that their chances of running in the 1 June 2010 elections have been shattered. The SSI forces are also accused of intimidating citizens during their arrests in order to give up the opposition candidates to advocate on their behalf in Egypt.

What follows are brief summaries of the arrests that took place in various locations across Egypt, as well as the names of those known to have been arrested:

Dakahliya - Mansoura City

On 19 May 2010, plainclothed SSI troops arrested more than 17 people during a campaign rally in a support of a Muslim Brotherhood candidate. Those known to have been arrested are:
Tarek Galal
Ali Lotfi
Muhammad Darweesh
Muatasam Abdel Gawad
Muhammad Kahla
Muhammad Fahmy
Ali Fahmy
Ayman Shaban

Current information indicates that they are being held at Mansoura Police station, and are waiting to be charged.

Menoufia - Ashmun City

On morning of 19 May 2010, two plainclothed SSI officers arrested two Muslim Brotherhood supporters while they were hanging a banner on Saad Zaghloul Street in Ashmun City. The two arrestees are:

Atef Al-Danasouri
Al-Said Singr

They are currently beind detained inside Ashmoun Police station, and are waiting to be charged.

Al-Baheira - Abu Al-Mutameir City

On morning of 19 May 2010, two plainclothed SSI officers arrested two Muslim Brotherhood supporters while they were hanging a banner in Abu Al-Mutameir. The two arrestees are:

Ahmad Zakaria Yusuf
Abed Rabo Khairi Abd Rabo

While in custody at the Abu Al-Mutameir police station, the two arrestees were allegedly beaten and tortured by local officers as well as officer from Taabien police department. An investigation into the affair has revealed that the victims show signs of torture.

Al-Sharqiya - Faqous City

A Hazem Ismail was arrested on the morning of 20 May 2010 while hanging a banner in support of a local Muslim Broterhood candidate.

Al-Minya - Malawi City

On 18 May 2010, SSI troops in coordination with the central security services attacked a election rally in support of Muslim Broterhood candidate, Alaa Othman Abouda. They proceeded to beat him and his supporters. Two supporters were then abducted from the scene.

Qaliubiya - Other Tookh

Plainclothed SSI forces accompanied by central security services attacked a Muslim Brotherhood election rally on 19 May 2010 and abducted dozens of supporters, while preventing the media from filming, and later assaulting a photographer and kidnapping him. Their number of arrestees and their names remains unknown.

Beni Suef - Beni Suef City

Labor Party supporters were harassed by SSI troops, who began collecting names of supporters. Information concerning these arrests is yet to be confirmed, as well as though involving arrests and violations against Muslim Brotherhood supporters.