After weekend violence, former dictator Mubarak’s sons released
by Daily Sabah
ISTANBULJan 27, 2015 - 12:00 am GMT+3
by Daily Sabah
Jan 27, 2015 12:00 am
Following a weekend marked by the killing of 23 protestors by a heavy-handed police force, the release of former President Hosni Mubarak's two sons held in prison for almost four years drew severe criticism in Egypt. The shooting dead of a 32-year-old mother named Shaimaa el-Sabbagh, along with 22 other protestors revealed the scale of police violence in Egypt.
"On the revolution's fourth anniversary, authorities release Gamal and Alaa, the sons of the most corrupt, and kill Shaimaa el-Sabbagh, the pure daughter of the revolution," rights activist Zizo Fahmy wrote on his Twitter account, as reported by AP news agency.
Turkey and the United States condemned the excessive use of police force against peaceful protestors that erupted on the fourth anniversary of Egypt's uprising.
"The repressive attitude of Egyptian authorities toward dissident groups in Egypt is the last example of coercing all segments of society and discouraging them through violence and atrocities. We, [as Turkey], strongly condemn this attitude that endangers fundamental human rights and freedom," announced the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while calling on restoring stability and order in Egypt.
"We strongly condemn the violence that took place over the weekend in Egypt, whether against peaceful protesters or security forces," said the U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki. "We urge the Egyptian security forces to show restraint and to provide a safe environment in which Egyptians can peacefully express their views."
Jan. 25 marks the fully-fledged popular uprising nationwide that demanded regime change and a more democratic rule, resulting in the ouster of long-serving President Mubarak. After the fall of Mubarak, Mohammed Morsi came to power in the country's first democratic election, which raised hopes for democracy in the country. However, the rule of former President Morsi was cut short by a coup organized by a coalition led by the-then Egyptian army chief Gen. el-Sissi. Pro-Morsi groups describe his removal as a military coup, believing that the incumbent President el-Sissi signals a return to the authoritarian security state, calling him a new incarnation of Mubarak. Under President el-Sissi, military rule has left no compromise as the country has suffered from ongoing instability.
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