Judicial sources said on Wednesday that General Prosecutor Abdel Meguid Mahmoud has referred eight protesters for a speedy trial after they were arrested while demonstrating against Saturday's Alexandria church bombing. Security forces arrested eight persons in Shubra, Cairo during a protest condemning the church bombings which left 23 dead and scores of others wounded. The protesters were accused of gathering, rioting, damaging public property and assaulting civil servants. The general prosecutor decided late on Tuesday to hold the protesters for four days for questioning. In a related context, activists called for a demonstration on Wednesday evening demanding the release of the protesters. Security forces arrested the eight for nothing other than their expression of solidarity with thousands of Copts, and demanding the dismissal of Alexandria's chief of security directorate and the issue of a unified law on places of worship, activists said in a statement. Investigators say the protesters hurled stones at security forces resulting in the injury of 20 officers and causing damage to 20 cars, ten of which belonged to the police. The protesters also blocked traffic by protesting in the street, chanting and clashing with security forces, say investigators. The detained protesters meanwhile deny the allegations against them.
