Highlights from Egypt, Dec 7 2012 (Part 1)

[Catherina]

Highlights from Egypt, Dec 6 2012 (Part 3) can be found here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021938539

Links the threads covering previous days are there too.


Last night as I was sleeping, the Army built a wall around the palace in preparation for today's demonstrations




Disturbing developments. Protesters who were caught by the MB were savagely beaten and forced to "confess" they received funds from "foreigners" to rise up. One minute Morsi says the funds were from Zionists, the next from the US, the next from God only knows, any demon will do.

Massive demonstrations were called for today.

The first few tweets will be catch-up tweets from the last 8 hours.

[Catherina]

1. The situation is very very bad. Protesters forced to "confess", people beaten

Jonathan Rashad ‏@JonathanRashad

Yahya Najm, Egypt's former ambassador in Venezuela, beaten/cuffed by Morsi supporters and accused of being a 'thug'.




Sarah El Sirgany/@Ssirgany: Journalist. Contributing to CNN, @AlakhbarEnglish, @Blottr & @EgyptMonocle. Former @DailyNewsEgypt. Co-author of I Diari Della Rivoluzione, مذكرات التحرير.

Sarah El Sirgany ‏@Ssirgany

Lawyers say prosecution, which said it's investigating the clashes, only questioned opposition & no Morsi supporters.

- It seems the prosecution has issued its verdict on who to blame by choosing to question only one side as "defendants."

- Lawyers say defendants were badly beaten before being handed to the police. No investigation of who detained & beat them up.

- Check lawyer @Mohamdaziz's timeline for photos of "defendants" at the prosecutor's office, with bruised & bloodied faces.
Note: Timeline is in Arabic

- Videos & other photos show protesters, now at the prosecution, beaten by Morsi supporters.

- I went to the de facto detention center Morsi supporters set up outside the gate of the presidential palace on Wednesday.

- I was with journos @Sarahcarr & @elsheikhadam but MB members, who cordoned this area with CSF, refused to let us in.

- Later that night I saw this video which shows men caught by Morsi supporters beaten and forced to confess getting paid.

- It's the same place we were denied entrance to. The video seems to be taken couple of hours after we left this place.


Mohamed Gade ‏@MohamedGade (BBC Cairo Monitoring Journalist)
@Ssirgany could you please help me Sarah with some links?

Sarah El Sirgany ‏@Ssirgany
@MohamedGade many of the beatings of men caught and beaten by supporters were broadcast live on air.

[Catherina]

2. March is apparently huge. Coming from all over

Mohamed Gade ‏@MohamedGade

- A march heading towards Morsi's presidential palace in Cairo's Hiliopolis neighbourhood.


- Protesters at pres palace chant "two cannot be trusted: military and MB". Pro-Morsi supporters stage sit-in near funeral mosque, Al-Azhar.


Some Mosques are broadcasting loudly against the anti-Morsi protesters as they pass


The Daily News Egypt ‏@DailyNewsEgypt

Abbaseya march reached Qubba Bridge where another march is waiting to join it. Leftist leader George Ishaq seen . #Dec7


To try to counter this, the MB freeper thugs organized a funeral procession for 2 people they lost. The Morsi is doing everything he can to prime the scene for political assassinations and repression of opposition/media:


Sherine Tadros Sherine Tadros ‏@SherineT

At a very angry #MB funeral march at Azhar. "They killed our brothers with bullets" #egypt



RT @Sarahcarr At the #MB funeral, 'who killed the martyrs?' Crowd answers: ElBaradei.

[Catherina]

3. MB leaders including Mohamed El-Beltagy whipping up their supporters "he who insults you will..."

The Daily News Egypt ‏@DailyNewsEgypt

Muslim Brotherhood leaders including Mohamed El-Beltagy currently rallying supporters on a podium in Al- Hussein st. off Al-Azhar #Dec7



2h نشرة القاهرة‎ نشرة القاهرة‎ ‏@cairowire

RT @Sarahcarr Chant for Morsi that ends with he who insults you will arrive in a bag. #dec7 #egypt #MB

[Catherina]

4. Livestream from Raba'a march (anti-Morsi) & Live Updates from ahramonline

Mostafa Sheshtawy ‏@msheshtawy

Live Streaming #Egypt RT @lilianwagdy: Live from Raba'a march - LIVE at http://bit.ly/UJPoDn


Hani Shukrallah ‏@HaniShukrallah

Live Updates: Egypt's opposition forces march on palace for 'ultimatum Friday' http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/59983.aspx via @ahramonline

[Catherina]

5. Barbed wire was removed in some places by protesters an hour ago

(tweet is from 28 minutes ago. I'm almost caught up. Marches are taking place in Alexandria and Suez also)

Mohamed Abdelfattah ‏@mfatta7

Barbed wire has been removed by protesters an hour ago according to witnesses. Everyone is chitchating with republican guard.



Mohamed Abdelfattah Mohamed Abdelfattah ‏@mfatta7

The barbed wire after being removed pic.

[Catherina]

6. Ex-presidential candidate and leftist leader Khaled Aly is with the protesters at the palace n/t

The Daily News Egypt ‏@DailyNewsEgypt

Ex-presidential candidate and leftist leader Khaled Aly is with the protesters at the presidential palace #Dec7 #Morsy

[Catherina]

7. Roads are blocked but people are still streaming in from all over

Women have always featured prominently in the Egyptian marches but for some reason, journalists in Alexandria note they're in notable contingents/numbers today. I'm guessing that's because the MB went out of its way to intimidate them.

[Catherina]

8. Two more marches meet at Roxy Square, chant "one hand" as they join and proceed

Basil El-Dabh ‏@BasilElD

Two more marches meet at Roxy Square, chant "one hand" as they join and proceed.

[Catherina]

9. Salafis congregating by the 100s in front of the media compound (Indy Media)

marlyn ‏@virtualactivism

Salafis congregating by the 100s in front of the media compound [known as Media Production City] - where most independent media is broadcast



Nada Wassef ‏@Nadawassef

News that some pro-Morsi protesters managed to enter the media city. Waiting for confirmation. #Egypt #MediaCity

[Greywing]

10. Just want to thank-you for posting info n/t

[Catherina]

11. Islamists protesting the media have stormed the compound

Gigi Ibrahim ‏@Gsquare86

Islamists protesting against media production village in 6 Oct city have stormed the compound according to Al Watan news #TVvillage




Nada Wassef ‏@Nadawassef

This tweet: pic.twitter.com/0TOUo8TV is a direct threat to journalists inside the media city. #Egypt #MB #Morsi




(I asked for a translation but there were "OMG" reactions from Egyptians)

[Catherina]

28. Translation: "this time we won't only raid the media city,that's old,this time we'll make example>>>

Nada Wassef ‏@Nadawassef

@Catherina_News he said: "this time we won't only raid the media city,that's old,this time we'll make an example of the journalists there"

[Catherina]

12. Anti-morsi protests in Nile Delta "No #MB, no Salafists, this is the youth of the January 25 Revoltn

Bel Trew - بل ترو ‏@Beltrew

Anti-#morsi protests in Tanta in Nile Delta - "No #MB, no Salafists, this is the youth of the January 25 Revolution"

[Catherina]

13. Sit-in at Media village / Salifis arriving too

Gigi Ibrahim ‏@Gsquare86

Thousands in front of media production village have announced that the are sitting in demanding honest unbiased media #TVvillage



marlyn ‏@virtualactivism

Salafi AbuIsmail just arrived at media production village with large number of his followers.

[Catherina]

14. At least 15 ambulances parked outside the prez palace n/t

2m Reem Abdellatif ريم Reem Abdellatif ريم ‏@Reem_Abdellatif

At least 15 ambulances parked outside the prez palace. #Morsi #Egypt pic.twitter.com/g74nGRhW

[Catherina]

15. MB kick out French media team calling presenter "an infidel, secularist & an ElBaradei-follower"

marlyn ‏@virtualactivism

#Ikhwan kick out French channel team while covering alAzhar prayers calling the presenter "an infidel, secularist & an #ElBaradei-follower"


That's taking place at Media Village. Not good

[Catherina]

16. street battles in Kafr ElSheikh, 16 injured in Beheira; security attacks anti-Morsi ppl in Zagazig

marlyn ‏@virtualactivism

Several governorates rising - street battles in Kafr ElSheikh, 16 injured in Beheira; security attacks anti-Morsi ppl in Zagazig


marlyn ‏@virtualactivism

Video from Zagazig

[Catherina]

17. In Pictures: Protests in front of the Presidential Palace

The Daily News Egypt ‏@DailyNewsEgypt

In Pictures: Protests in front of the Presidential Palace http://dailynewsegypt.com/2012/12/07/in-pictures-protests-in-front-of-the-presiden …


In Pictures: Protests in front of the Presidential Palace








More at link

[Catherina]

18. Massive numbers of people now arriving to pres palace.

marlyn ‏@virtualactivism

Massive numbers of people now arriving to pres palace. #Shubra demo arrives - led by former pres candidate Khaled Ali


(Note, I'm totally caught up now)

[Catherina]

19. MB militias attack demonstrators in Kafr el Sheikh using guns and knives

marlyn ‏@virtualactivism

#iKhwan militias attack demonstrators in Kafr el Sheikh using guns and knives


marlyn ‏@virtualactivism

Islamist Beltagi says zero hour will be if 'thugs' begin attacking either Maspero TV building or presidential palace.


Note: Maspero is Egypt's state television headquarters. There's a very, very bad history there where over twenty protesters were killed
http://www.arabmediasociety.com/?article=783

[sinkingfeeling]

20. Thanks again for posting all of this.

[Catherina]

22. Thanks Sinkingfeeling. It's a pleasure. It's shocking how what little coverage this is getting

is mostly so distorted.

[Catherina]

21. No media coverage in Zagazig, Sharqiya. Ongoing clashes between anti Morsy protesters and police n/t

Menna منّة ‏@TheMiinz

No media coverage in Zagazig, Sharqiya. Ongoing clashes between anti Morsy protesters and police. #Egypt

[Catherina]

23. "leave .. Leave " while being stormed with tear gas bombs and chased by police cars in #zagazig

in #Zagazig , Sharqiya

J. Berry / ست الحته ‏@moneloky

Protesters shouting "leave .. Leave " while being stormed with tear gas bombs and chased by police cars in #zagazig #Egypt

Civilians wearing masks just to be able to walk down the streets because of the tear gas bombs smell . #zagazig #egypt

injured protestor being carried away since the hospital is right next to z clashes it cant be accessed. pic.twitter.com/LTtMCOxx #zagazig #egypt


Nada Wassef ‏@Nadawassef

@acarvin many tweeps are reporting that,in addition to severe beatings and arrests from inside hospitals..

[Catherina]

27. Worth noting that Sharqiya is Mohamed Morsy's hometown. Clashes

Menna منّة ‏@TheMiinz

Worth noting that Sharqiya is Mohamed Morsy's hometown. Clashes betweet anti Morsy protesters and Police now there. #Zagazig #Egypt

[Catherina]

24. Pic from Alexandria

Egyptocracy Egyptocracy ‏@Egyptocracy

5.12pm EET: Sidi Gaber square, #Alexandria “@elmansi: ميدان سيدي جابر #الاسكندرية http://twitpic.com/bjvd0q ” #Egypt #Morsi

[Catherina]

25. This is how Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammad Mursi supporters silence the women protesters

@Raafatology

This is how Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammad Mursi supporters silence the women protesters http://fb.me/1nW0Abowm

[Catherina]

26. MB issuing more directives tomorrow

Ikhwanweb ‏@Ikhwanweb

Muslim Brotherhood's General Guide & entire Guidance Bureau will hold press conference tomorrow Saturday 10:30 AM at MB HQ, Mokkatam, Cairo

[Catherina]

29. "Al-Masry Al-Youm goes inside the Brotherhood's torture chambers"

Egypt Independent ‏@EgyIndependent

Al-Masry Al-Youm goes inside the Brotherhood's torture chambers http://dlvr.it/2bkdn1

Al-Masry Al-Youm goes inside the Brotherhood's torture chambers

(graphic pic at link)

...

Police officials in uniform were present inside the chamber, as were plainclothes officers from the Nozha police station. Fifteen Brotherhood members were also present, supervised by three bearded men who decided who should be there. They could order anyone out of the room.

Opposing protesters were brought to the chambers after being detained by Brotherhood members, who beat them and tore their clothes. The chambers were informal and it was unclear how many there were; when someone was detained, a chamber would be established anywhere near a building.

...

The interrogators would then ask their captive why they had taken to the street, if they had received any money for protesting, and if they belonged to Mohamed ElBaradei’s Constitution Party, Hamdeen Sabbahi’s Popular Current or the dissolved National Democratic Party of Hosni Mubarak.

If the detainee denied affiliation, the torturers would intensify beatings and verbal abuse. They also documented the interrogations on a mobile phone camera and contacted the Misr 25 TV channel to name the detainees as thugs.

...


http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/al-masry-al-youm-goes-inside-brotherhood-s-torture-chambers

[Catherina]

36. This story says as much as Egyptian police as the Brothers

Evan Hill ‏@evanchill

This story about Brotherhood abusing ppl it captured Wednesday says as much as Egyptian police as the Brothers. http://ow.ly/fUz3A

(same story, different paper and link - MUST READ)

Al-Masry Al-Youm goes inside the Brotherhood's torture chambers



(snipped article)

http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/al-masry-al-youm-goes-inside-brotherhood-s-torture-chambers

[Catherina]

30. When Legitimacy and Sharia Overlap

Nancy Messieh ‏@nfm

Another very important piece by @YussefAuf: When Legitimacy and Sharia Overlap http://bit.ly/Vo6dAn @cairowire

...

In short, when the Muslim Brotherhood wanted to gather as large a crowd as possible; it was as easy as unfurling a banner calling for the application of Sharia. This is despite the fact that Brotherhood leaders know full well that the real issue is the (un)Constitutional Declaration the President recently issued and nothing more. The Brotherhood is using Islam as a wedge in this political conflict for short-term political gain. Egyptian society today is already struggling with gridlocked political strife; and behavior like this on the part of the Brotherhood will absolutely worsen Egypt’s political state of affairs.

While on the topic of the Muslim Brotherhood’s demonstration, it would be remiss not to mention the demonstrators who surrounded the Supreme Constitutional Courthouse and prevented its judges from entering. The timing coincided with the December 2nd session during which the constitutionality of the Constituent Assembly and Shura Council would be considered. The real importance of the session, however, went beyond these two lawsuits. The Constitutional Court’s ruling would have clarified its stance on the November 22 decree. Ruling on the constitutionality of these two bodies would have, by extension, required it to address the recent constitutional declaration, either by assenting to or overturning it.Moreover, surrounding the courthouse represents a dangerous turning point in Egyptian politics. It is evidence of a political faction aiming to impose its own will by force. This faction imagines it has a logical right to do so, a logic based on the assumption that its mandate comes from society. But using this power play to forcefully resolve our populations’ differences will have catastrophic effects. By intending, and ultimately succeeding, to keep the court from doing its work, a serious crime has been committed, one that should rightly worry any nation that respects the rule of law. I cannot understand the silence of the President and Prime Minister in the face of such a shameful incident. Clearly, it is not a crisis that merits consideration in their eyes – a fact which I believe calls into question the government’s very legitimacy.

The President has appeared three times in the past few days. Most notable in these appearances is not what he said, but rather the fact that he completely ignored the judges’ response to his (un)constitutional declaration. In his latest speech, Morsi repeated the same platitudes about the judges, but did not address the ongoing judicial crisis.

Before the final speech, the judges in the Court of First Instance, the Court of Appeals, and the Court of Cassation responded by suspended their work in opposition – an unprecedented act in the history of the Egyptian judiciary. The President could think of nothing to say except to repeat his tired mantra of respect for the judiciary and its judges, even though his hostility towards the entire institution is obvious. Worse than his words is the fact that the President has not taken a single real step towards resolving this crisis, one that is quickly worsening. Quite the contrary: he has instead called for a referendum on his draft constitution, calling upon Egyptians to vote in less than fourteen days, an undertaking that is impossible without the direct supervision of the judiciary. Is it right, politically or socially, to hold a referendum amid a crisis that has become so violent, essentially a vote between two constitutional branches of power (the judicial and the executive)? Insisting on a referendum in these circumstances will only further antagonize and polarize judges, encouraging the very kind of judicial involvement in politics that must be stopped in order to reverse the direction of this crisis.

Yussef Auf is an Egyptian judge and 2012 Humphrey Fellow at American University’s Washington College of Law. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Constitutional Law and Political Systems at Cairo University. He can be reached at [e-mail].

http://www.acus.org/egyptsource/when-legitimacy-and-sharia-overlap

[Catherina]

31. VIDEO - Clashes in Sharqiya, Morsi's hometown

Hossam عمو حسام ‏@3arabawy

VIDEO - Clashes in Sharqiya, Morsi's hometown https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200173044717152 #ACAB

[Catherina]

32. it's living hell with rocks being thrown as an answer to the tear gas bombs in #Zagazing

J. Berry / ست الحته ‏@moneloky

all i can tell is that it's living hell with rocks being thrown as an answer to the tear gas bombs on AL-Gam'aa st. in #zagazing #Egypt

[Catherina]

33. "Blog: Reporting the clashes from the ranks of the Brothers"

9m نشرة القاهرة‎ نشرة القاهرة‎ ‏@cairowire

blog by mohamed adam: reporting the clashes from the ranks of the brothers — http://is.gd/zdYd3G #dec5 #egypt #MB (via @DaliaEzzat_)

Blog: Reporting the clashes from the ranks of the Brothers

...

“We beat them hard,” said one of them, while another who had just arrived said, “We found alcohol and hashish with them.”

...

We listened to their stories about the alcohol and the dollars they found with people they detained from the other party, how some of the detainees told them about certain politicians inciting them to attack the Brotherhood, and about their “Brothers” being wounded by gunshots.

But the safe feeling began to diminish when we asked them if they had evidence proving these stories, such as a pictures of what they found. And when more people gathered around us, we felt we should go.

...

I heard them cheer something I used to cheer when I was drafted in the army: “Strength... Determination...Faith.” I also heard them say, “Morsy shoots to kill.”

...

Finally, we got to the place where they keep the captives, at one of the gates to the palace. There, I saw Central Security Forces in uniform alongside more Morsy supporters in civilian attire. The CSF officer did not mind that we talk to the captives, but a man in civilian clothes forbade us. It seemed he had more authority. “There is no place for the press here,” he told us.

...

http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/blog-reporting-clashes-ranks-brothers

[Catherina]

34. Live ammo used near State TV HQs

Hossam عمو حسام ‏@3arabawy

Clashes between the ruling MBs and opposition protesters in the north Delta town of Kafr el-Sheikh. Live ammo used http://www.almasryalyoum.com/node/1295071

(article is in Arabic)

[Catherina]

35. No one in media is covering #Zagazik- tear gas, beating, & arrests including women & in hospital

Gigi Ibrahim ‏@Gsquare86

No one in media is covering #Zagazik while there is horrific violation happening, tear gas, beating, & arrests including women & in hospital

[Catherina]

37. political cartoon

@adamakary

Most apt political cartoon I've seen of #Morsi in a while - via @IHT. #Egypt #Democracy pic.twitter.com/rKgSRtpS

[Catherina]

38. Demos in Beheira's villages against Morsi, historically MB stronghold. Not anymore

Hossam عمو حسام ‏@3arabawy

Demos in Beheira's villages against Morsi. The province has been historically MB stronghold Not anymore http://shar.es/6Ehan #Egypt

[Catherina]

39. Journalist killed by the ruling MB gangs

Hossam عمو حسام ‏@3arabawy

Journalist killed by the ruling MB gangs http://gate.ahram.org.eg/News/280930.aspx …



(article is in Arabic)

[Catherina]

40. Head of TV sector and head of specialized channels resigns

Egyptocracy ‏@Egyptocracy

AMAY: Head of TV sector and head of specialized channels resigns. #Egypt #Morsi #MB

[Catherina]

41. #Tahrir screenshot

Egyptocracy ‏@Egyptocracy

6.35pm EET: #Tahrir. #Egypt screenshot from OnTV:

[Catherina]

42. Tear gas while Ikhwan militias together with police are arresting protesters in #Zagazik

Gigi Ibrahim ‏@Gsquare86

Tear gas while Ikhwan militias together with police are arresting protesters in #Zagazik via @mahmoudselim18 #الزقازيق

[Catherina]

43. Boisterous march w/dancing protesters, chants, Ultras song about #Morsi too rude to tweet

Bel Trew - بل ترو ‏@Beltrew

Boisterous march w/dancing protesters enters from Mostafa Mahmoud,chants too rude to tweet! #Egypt





Bel Trew - بل ترو ‏@Beltrew

Boisterous march just entered presidential palace,dancing protesters singing Ultras song about #Morsi which is too rude to tweet! #Egypt

[Catherina]

44. CSF threw tear gas next to the hospital, which caused suffocation cases amongst patients and doctors

Egyptocracy ‏@Egyptocracy

Iman Mehanna to OnTV: CSF threw tear gas next to the hospital, which caused suffocation cases amongst patients and doctors. #Zagazig #Egypt

[Catherina]

45. Lawyer: Political pressure keeping detainees from Wednesday clashes

Egypt Independent ‏@EgyIndependent

Lawyer: Political pressure keeping detainees from Wednesday clashes in jail

Lawyer: Political pressure keeping detainees from Wednesday clashes in jail



....

Marwa Farouk told Al-Masry Al-Youm Friday that the prosecutor admitted to her there was no evidence against the detainees. However, Farouk quoted the prosecutor as saying that "certain parties" were trying to keep them in custody pending referral to trial.

Farouk added that she felt the "parties" in question were the prosecutor general and the Muslim Brotherhood. The clashes came after Islamist supporters of President Mohamed Morsy attacked a sit-in staged by opposition protesters.

...

A number of detainees, in turn, accuse Brotherhood supporters of beating and torturing opposition protesters. Some defendants held Brotherhood leaders such as Khairat al-Shater, Mohamed al-Beltagy and Essam al-Erian responsible for the attack.

Additionally, several dozen detainees have alleged that Muslim Brotherhood members beat them during the clashes before detaining them and forcing them to confess to crimes they did not commit.

http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/lawyer-political-pressure-keeping-detainees-wednesday-clashes-jail?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Catherina]

46. Protesters in #Mahalla throw out head of city council, annonce their separation from "Ikhwani state"

The Daily News Egypt ‏@DailyNewsEgypt

Protesters in #Mahalla threw out head of city council, annonce their separation from "Ikhwani state" #Dec7 #Morsy

[Catherina]

47. BREAKING: Protesters have broken Republican guard curfew and are now in front of presidential palac

Bel Trew - بل ترو ‏@Beltrew

BREAKING: Protesters have broken Republican guard curfew and are now in front of presidential palace #Egypt

[Catherina]

48. Part 2 is here:

Continued here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021941551

[countryjake]

49. Kick for the people of Egypt!