A coalition of 17 political parties and movements on Monday accused Egypt's civil and military police forces of being involved in Saturday night's attack on peaceful demonstrators in the Abbasseya district of Cairo. The protesters were marching on the Ministry of Defence building in Abbasseya when they were attacked by thugs carrying machetes and knives and hurling Molotov cocktails. Over 300 people were injured in the attack, according to the Ministry of Health. Prior to being attacked, the protesters had intended to present certain demands to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. The fact that so many people were injured under the noses of the security forces and the military police has raised strong suspicions about the involvement of the authorities in the attack, according to a statement issued by coalition. The statement said that the incident was reminiscent of the “Battle of the Camel,” which was orchestrated by senior figures from the Mubarak regime. The statement also demanded that state media officials be investigated for broadcasting false information about the peaceful protesters. The coalition held the military council and the prime minister responsible for such assaults, saying that “history will not forgive and the people will not forget.” Translated from the Arabic Edition
