Egyptians protesting against emergency law beaten and arrested

Apr 6, 2010, 12:32 GMT

Cairo - Egyptian security on Tuesday cracked down on a protest demanding an end to nearly 30 years of emergency rule, beating protesters and detaining one journalist.

Around 25 people gathered in front of Egypt's parliament building in central Cairo, calling for an end to emergency law. They were quickly surrounded by around 100 uniformed security personnel, in addition to plainclothes security.

At least six protesters were beaten, some receiving bloody noses.

Around six people were detained. Among them was Zuma Press photographer David Degner, who was released with light scratches about 15 minutes later. Both of his cameras were confiscated by security.

One security officer told dpa 'there is no journalism here.' Security took the lens off one dpa journalist's camera.

Egypt's emergency law has been in place since 1981. In addition to limiting freedom of speech, the law permits indefinite detention, prohibits gatherings of more than five people, and allows the trial of civilians in military courts.

The protest was organized by a group called the April 6 Movement, which has tried to organize a national strike on April 6 for the past two years to protest against government policies and poor economic conditions, with mixed success.

A few of the protesters wore t-shirts bearing the name of Mohamed ElBaradei, the ex-UN nuclear watchdog chief who is working to reform the country's laws and its political systems. Opposition parties have rallied around ElBaradei, hopeful that he will run for the presidency in 2011.