Cairo Criminal Court moved on Wednesday to release of all the defendants, arrested in the demonstrations last week in front of the Shura Council, with a LE5,000 bail each, with the exception of one defendant, Ahmed Abdel Rahman, whose detention was extended.
The public prosecution has appealed on Monday the decision of the Court to release 23 defendants on a bail of LE 5,000 bail each.
Demonstrations were staged on Tuesday of last week in front of the Shura Council to denounce the signing of the new controversial protest law, which requires groups to request permission from the Interior Ministry before holding any demonstrations. The law also allows the Interior Ministry to disperse protests if it deems them as violent.
The law has been criticized by a wide spectrum of political forces, from the Strong Egypt Party, led by Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, to the April 6 Movement, led by Ahmed Maher. Though the Tamarod movement has tended to side with the interim government in most matters, it has voiced opposition to aspects of the law as well.
The US government, European Union and the United Nations have also expressed concern over the implications of the new protest law and its perceived impact on Egypt’s roadmap to democratic reform.
