Dozens of political and human rights activists protested on Thursday before the Public Prosecutor's office in downtown Cairo to demand the release of Coptic Christians arrested and detained following violent clashes between Copts and riot police over construction of a church in Giza's al-Omranya neighborhood. Hundreds of disgruntled Copts protested on Wednesday against an order to halt construction work on a local church. Protesters later clashed with security forces. One Coptic student was killed in the melee and 55 others injured, including 14 policemen. Some 150 activists accused security forces of having used excessive force against demonstrators. On Thursday, the Public Prosecutor detained 157 people in relation to the riots. Activists began gathering at noon in front of the Public Prosecutor's office amid a heavy security presence, which included security officers and Central Security forces. Protesters carried banners bearing the phrases: "Long live the crescent with the cross," "No to hindering the establishment of places of worship," and "I am a Muslim and I reject the persecution of Copts and Muslims by police officers." Protesters also called on the Ministry of Interior to allow construction work on the church to resume and for the governor of Giza to offer a public apology for the inconvenience and loss suffered by citizens as a result of the confrontation. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
