The military officers who were detained on 8 April 2011 for protesting in Tahrir Square will be released late on Monday, according to wife of Ahmed Shoman, another detained military officer who she said would also be freed The wife of Ahmed Shoman, an Egyptian military officer who was detained after taking part in protests at Tahrir Square, said her husband and other detained military officers – known as the on 8 April officers – would be released late on Monday. Mona Salah stated on ONTV satellite channel that she had received a phone call on Monday from a presidential source, who informed her of the news. Shoman's wife says that the release of her husband will be "considered a victory for the January 25 Revolution." Shoman is one of dozens of army personnel who have been detained for joining protesters in Tahrir Square during and after the 2011 uprising. For his side, lieutenant Ahmed Abu El-Hassan, one of the officers who were arrested on 8 April 2011 but was released in the same month this year along with some of his colleagues, told Ahram Online: "I think five officers will be released on Monday, but they are still in the detention cell. Around 22 officers were arrested on 8 April 2011 during one of the square's trademark million-man demonstrations, in which protesters attacked the then ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF). Some of the military officers have already been released, others were given prison sentences or sanctions while the rest are still being tried in military courts. Officer Shoman, who was given a suspension in rank promotion by the military court, was initially arrested following the departure of former president Hosni Mubarak for his involvement in protests at Tahrir Square in the days leading up to the president's ouster. However, under pressure from demonstrators and activists, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) pardoned him a few days later. The then ruling military council issued an official statement later, saying it would no longer tolerate such acts. Shoman, however, opted to join protests in Tahrir Square again on 22 November, during the violent clashes between protesters and Egypt's security forces in Mohamed Mahmoud Street, and thus was arrested again. The court charged Shoman with several offences, including undisciplined military behaviour, filming videos while wearing military uniform and publishing them via various media, absence from his unit, neglecting to obey military orders and stating political views through satellite channels. Shoman's wife stressed that her husband got involved in the protest to show his support and solidarity with his colleagues, who withstood the Mohamed Mahmoud clashes. These clashes left dozens killed and hundreds injured as civilians and security forces faced off after police personnel had tried to forcibly disperse a sit-in in Tahrir. Retired General Tarek Wadia, father of Mohamed Wadia, one of detained officers, said that he met with Amr El-Laithy, member of the presidential advisory council, who denied knowing the date of his son's release on the same satellite television show. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/51941.aspx
