AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Press TV
Sunday

20 February 2011

8:30:00 PM
227495

Egyptians urge release of prisoners

Thousands of Egyptian protesters have called for the immediate release of all political prisoners, as people continue keeping up with their demands.

(AhlulBayt News Agency) - Demonstrating in front of Egypt's state TV in Cairo on Sunday, they also demanded the interim military government to intervene to stop torturing and abusing political detainees, a Press TV correspondent reported.

Amnesty International said on Thursday it had interviewed former prisoners who said they had been tortured by whipping and electric shocks by the military while in custody.

On Wednesday, Family members of Egypt's political prisoners gathered in front of the General Prosecutor's office, demanding the release of all political detainees.

Egyptians have once again flooded Cairo's Liberation Square, demanding a civilian government and democratic reforms.

This is while the army had warned people against staging fresh protests, saying it will confront demonstrations with legal steps.

On Friday, hundreds of thousands of protesters rallied in Cairo's Liberation Square to renew their calls on the military to give up power to a civilian government.

Cairo's prayers leader Sheikh Yusuf al-Qawadawi said on Friday that "Egyptians want to get rid of Mubarak's designated government,” and called on the military to free hundreds of pro-democracy protesters detained during the demonstrations.

Reports say at least 500 people were arrested in the recent popular protests that toppled the ruling regime.

However, an estimated 17,000 political prisoners were already locked up in Egyptian prisons, which are notorious for the use of torture.

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