Egypt's army and police forces detained a number of protesters Tuesday after they escaped to side roads when the forces dispersed their Tahrir Square sit-in, according to eyewitnesses. The same witnesses said that security forces combed downtown Cairo on Tuesday night, accompanied by civilians who guided them to protesters hiding at coffee shops and on side roads. The ruling Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) said on its Facebook page that the detainees were released after their identities were checked and that the military was present to "protect the youth of the revolution." Tahrir Square had seen an intensified military presence amid protests by SCAF supporters and critics. Wtinesses also said that some activists and journalists prevented an officer from arresting a young man and a girl sitting in a coffee shop, whom the "informant" said were among protesters. But arrests were made at other coffee shops, according to the witnesses, who said they could not determine the exact number of detainees. Egyptian NGO El Nadeem Center for Management and Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence published a list of 13 people who were arrested, including media hosts, reporters, and artists. According to Mona Seif, a human rights activist, 32 of those detained by the military on Tuesday were released, while it remains unclear whether others are still being held. Violent clashes erupted earlier this week between citizens who wanted the square reopened and protesters who insisted demonstrations continue until corrupt officials from the former regime are prosecuted. The citizens who wanted to clear out protesters managed to reopen the square and restore the traffic flow. Some said they took demonstrators who were carrying weapons to the military police.
