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Egypt detains leading youth activist Ahmed Maher | Egypt detains leading youth activist Ahmed Maher |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Egyptian security forces have detained a prominent activist on suspicion of inciting an anti-government protest. | Egyptian security forces have detained a prominent activist on suspicion of inciting an anti-government protest. |
Ahmed Maher, who leads the April 6 Youth Movement, was arrested at Cairo airport after flying back from the US, officials said. | Ahmed Maher, who leads the April 6 Youth Movement, was arrested at Cairo airport after flying back from the US, officials said. |
The April 6 Youth Movement was at the forefront of protests that overthrew former leader Hosni Mubarak in 2011. | The April 6 Youth Movement was at the forefront of protests that overthrew former leader Hosni Mubarak in 2011. |
Mr Mubarak's retrial on charges linked to the revolt is due to begin on Saturday. | Mr Mubarak's retrial on charges linked to the revolt is due to begin on Saturday. |
He is charged alongside a former interior minister and six former security chiefs with complicity in the killing of hundreds of protesters. | He is charged alongside a former interior minister and six former security chiefs with complicity in the killing of hundreds of protesters. |
Mr Mubarak will also face charges of financial corruption alongside his two sons, Alaa and Gamal. | Mr Mubarak will also face charges of financial corruption alongside his two sons, Alaa and Gamal. |
The official Mena news agency said Mr Maher's passport was confiscated and he was ordered to be detained for four days. | The official Mena news agency said Mr Maher's passport was confiscated and he was ordered to be detained for four days. |
A security official quoted by AP news agency said Mr Maher was accused of "incitement" following a demonstration in March against the country's interior minister. | A security official quoted by AP news agency said Mr Maher was accused of "incitement" following a demonstration in March against the country's interior minister. |
Protesters hurled underwear at the minister's house following a police crackdown on the activist group. | Protesters hurled underwear at the minister's house following a police crackdown on the activist group. |
Mr Maher is being held on the premises of the prosecutor's office in Cairo's eastern district of Nasr City, the official said. | Mr Maher is being held on the premises of the prosecutor's office in Cairo's eastern district of Nasr City, the official said. |
Activists 'targeted' | Activists 'targeted' |
Ingi Hamdi, a senior member of the April 6 Youth Movement, denounced the arrest and pledged a "tough" response | Ingi Hamdi, a senior member of the April 6 Youth Movement, denounced the arrest and pledged a "tough" response |
"This is part of a series of arrests targeting activists... to undermine their reputation," she said. | |
Correspondents say the youth movement - hailed as heroes in the aftermath of Hosni Mubarak's downfall - has since split into two factions. | Correspondents say the youth movement - hailed as heroes in the aftermath of Hosni Mubarak's downfall - has since split into two factions. |
It supported President Mohammed Morsi during the June presidential elections but later became increasingly vocal in its opposition to the Islamist leader. | It supported President Mohammed Morsi during the June presidential elections but later became increasingly vocal in its opposition to the Islamist leader. |
Days before his arrest, Mr Maher had expressed regret for the group's alliance with Mr Morsi and his main backers, the Muslim Brotherhood. | Days before his arrest, Mr Maher had expressed regret for the group's alliance with Mr Morsi and his main backers, the Muslim Brotherhood. |
He wrote on the group's website: "Now we are being treated as traitors and our image has been tarnished and we are sent to prisons by those we defended." | He wrote on the group's website: "Now we are being treated as traitors and our image has been tarnished and we are sent to prisons by those we defended." |