Eight hundred microbus drivers organized a strike yesterday in Daqahlia in front of the governorate's headquarters, demanding a fee increase from 30pts to 50pts. A 20pts increase would make microbus fares equal to those of mass transit buses. Local authorities attempted to break up protest, which lasted four hours. The protesters were visited by Daqahlia security chief Major General Mohamed Tolba, along with other officials from the traffic department and investigation police. After a series of clashes between drivers and security forces, Tolba threatened the demonstrators with detention and riot charges. Drivers accused the police officers of arbitrarily charging them with traffic violations, and said that fines, in some cases, reached LE305. Meanwhile, in Alexandria citizens staged a demonstration in front of the Court of First Instance, saying they were "victims of negligence by the health insurance services." Protesters demanded compensation from doctors whose negligence they say caused the death and serious infection of their children. The court is currently reviewing a lawsuit filed against the physicians. Protesters hoisted banners denouncing negligence by government hospitals, and demanding improved medical services to save Egyptian lives. Mohamed Abdel Rahman, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said he will pursue charges of severe negligence leading to permanent disability. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
