Egyptian protesters vow to continue sit-in until demands are met

Egyptian protesters vow to continue sit-in until demands are met

2011-07-10 00:04:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

CAIRO (BNO NEWS) -- Thousands of Egyptians on Saturday continued occupying Tahrir Square in central Cairo, demanding the rapid prosecution of Mubarak-regime officials and the fulfillment of the January Revolution promises.

According to Ahram online, the protesters have set terms that if met would end the sit-in. Among their demands are the immediate release of all civilians who have been sentenced by military courts and their retrial before civilian courts. They are also asking for the prosecution of those implicated in the killing of protesters during the January 25 Revolution.

Tahrir Square, which is considered a symbol of the Egyptian Revolution, witnessed the arrival of demonstrators from various provinces to participate in what was called "Determination Friday." Marches and chants continued late into the night, ending at around 2 a.m. Protesters started chanting again, reviving the protest at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Meanwhile, in the coastal city of Port Said, members of the April 6 Movement and others declared that they have started a hunger strike that will last until all their demands are met. Among their demands are the public and fair trials for ousted President Hosni Mubarak and ex-regime figures, retribution against police officers responsible for killing demonstrators, and the cleansing of the ministry of interior and all state institutions.

The sit-ins were triggered by widespread feeling that the demands of the January 25 Revolution have been ignored. The release of police officers accused of killing protesters in Suez heightened this sentiment.

A criminal court in Suez on Wednesday rejected an appeal filed against the release of police officers accused of killing demonstrators during the country's uprising earlier this year.

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.

Mubarak will stand trial for corruption and murder charges on August 3, along his sons, Alaa and Gamal, and businessman Hussein Salem. Some officials have already been convicted, including Rachid Mohamed Rachid, former minister of trade, and Youssef Boutros Ghali, former minister of finance.

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