New clashes reported in Tahrir Square

[News_Editor]

New clashes reported in Tahrir Square

2011-07-04 02:03:22 GMT+7 (ICT)

CAIRO (BNO NEWS) -- New clashes were reported on Sunday in Tahrir Square where there has been a sit-in since last week, Ahram online reported.

According to reports, many bladed weapons were seen and black smoke was rising from tents erected at the sit-in site. It was not clear what caused the violence, but immediate reports suggested that wandering sellers were involved in clashes with Tahrir demonstrators.

Egypt has been witnessing clashes in recent days. Thousands of Egyptians on Friday took the streets of three cities in the so-called "Friday of Retribution" deploring the recent police brutality. Protesters demanded bringing charges against the police officers involved in this week's violent events in and around the Tahrir Square in Cairo.

Egypt's Ministry of Health informed that 1,114 people were injured in the violent clashes; 990 of them were given treatment at the square while 124 were transported to nearby hospital for further medical care.

Relatives of those killed during the popular uprising earlier this year have been calling for swift trials of those responsible for the use of excessive force, including police officers and officials. According to Amnesty International, at least 840 people were killed and over 6,000 people were injured in the violent repression that took place during the January uprising.

Ousted President Hosni Mubarak ruled Egypt in a 30-year-long regime which began in 1981. He stepped down earlier this year after weeks of anti-government protests by crowds calling for greater democracy and respect of human rights.

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