Mass arrest as Egypt braces for anti government protest

Egyptians are expected to stage a peaceful protest to demand the resignation of president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. 

Right groups say nearly 2,000 people were arrested since protests broke out in several cities last week calling on El-Sisi to step down.

Thousands had marched against the president’s rule after corruption allegations emerged surrounding him and his family’s lavish spending.

Security forces detained several prominent Egyptian intellectuals and public figures, including Hassan Nafaa, a political science professor at Cairo university and well-known columnist. 

Analysts and politicians say the crackdown reflects the government’s insecurity and vulnerability at a critical time as Egypt’s economic woes intensify for the poor and middle class.