Egypt’s interior ministry says “heavenly coincidence” Jan 25 anniversary, police day come together

Protests are expected on January 25.

CAIRO: Egypt’s ministry of interior said on Monday that it is a “heavenly coincidence” that has tied together the national police day and the first anniversary of the public uprising on January 25. The ministry added that “God’s will” wished to express the bond between the “people and the police force.”

The ministry, however failed to mention that the initial choosing of January 25 as the first day of the 18 days of protests was selected deliberately to express public anger towards the country’s police force for the violations they committed for over three decades.

The ministry issued a statement Monday congratulating the Egyptian people on both occasions, while Mohamed Ibrahim, the newly appointed minister of interior, said Sunday night at a press conference that the police force’s duties have changed after the revolution more towards criminal aspects after it “used to be political.

“Leaders, officers, individuals and soldiers within the police are led by a new creed, new motto and a new work module and pledge to the nation to spare no effort in keeping the nation and the citizen’s safety and abide by the law and respecting freedoms and rights and enhancing democratic values,” read the ministry’s statement.

18 days of mass protests ousted the former regime and forced former President Hosni Mubarak and his allies out of power after 30 years of rule.

Continuing police brutality and the increase of torture, that often leads to death, sparked anger across the country and drove hundreds of thousands of people to the streets, calling for an end to the police state and the re-establishing of social rights.

BM

Tags: featured, Jan25, Police Day

Section: Egypt, Latest News