Saturday, December 8, 2012

In reprisal, Egypt activists force closure of main Cairo administration building

By Joseph Mayton
Bikya Masr

"CAIRO: In what appears to be a reprisal action for supporters of President Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood, protesters in Tahrir Square forced the closure of the country’s main administration building, the Mogamma, on Saturday.

They claim it is to protest the sit-ins that are blocking judges from entering the country’s Supreme Constitutional Court.

According to eye witnesses, protesters have placed barbed wire across the entrance, which has barred government employees from entering the building.

Local reports suggest that small clashes occurred near the entrance.

They are protesting the moves made by Brotherhood supporters on Sunday at the top court that barred the judges from entering in order to rule on the constitutionality of an assembly that has drafted the recent and controversial constitution, to go to a referendum on December 15.

The state-run MENA news agency reported that the protesters have said they will open the building and allow work to resume when the protesters at the sit-in at the court allow judges to work.

Tahrir is now in their 16th consecutive day of protests, with a large number of white tents having been erected as they continue to voice opposition to Morsi’s policies and the constitution, which they have argued will return the country to an era without freedom and justice."

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