Egypt military calls on citizens to arrest “suspects” and hand over to authorities

Protesters link arms to protect a field hospital on Bostan St in downtown Cairo.

CAIRO: Egypt’s military junta has called on all “honorable citizens” to arrest anyone suspect and hand them over to the authorities “without hurting them.”

The announcement in the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) recent communique has activists and protesters worried that it could create widespread panic near and around Tahrir Square.

“This is crazy because it is exactly the kind of language used by the Mubarak government in January and February,” one activist from Tahrir told Bikyamasr.com.

Others questioned the SCAF’s intentions over the statement, with Egyptian journalist Farah Saafan writing on Twitter, “I suspect SCAF, can I arrest them?”

The military also called on citizens to “arrest anyone on top of buildings” downtown, accusing these individuals of being responsible for the clashes which have left scores of demonstrators dead and thousands injured.

The military also asked citizens to assist the armed forces in defending the country. The same tactic was used on October 9, when the military opened fire on Coptic Christian protesters, killing 27 people.

BM

Tags: featured, SCAF, Tahrir

Section: Egypt, Latest News