A media official at an Islamist Egyptian group said on Sunday that there is a plot to carry out assassinations during the celebrations planned for 25 January, which marks the first anniversary of the beginning of the Egyptian revolution. Assem Abdel Maged, media official at Jama'a al-Islamiya, told Al-Masry Al-Youm that he possesses proof that some "saboteurs" intend to assassinate Islamist and non-Islamist figures to create divisions among Egyptians. Abdel Maged said the information indicates that saboteurs have taken explosives from Upper Egyptian quarries to use during the celebrations. "Those who call for a second revolution, such as the Revolutionary Socialists, the April 6 Youth Movement and others want to drive the country into chaos," he said, referring to two liberal activist groups. "No matter how high their voice, the people will confront them." Several political groups have been preparing to mark the first anniversary of the popular uprising that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak in 2011. But groups have been divided as some have called for celebrations of the revolution's success, while others have called for a new revolution to achieve unfulfilled goals and protest the rule of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF). The split has triggered fears that the day might take an unfavourable turn. The SCAF has declared 25 January a national holiday, while several parties and groups have called for mass protests on that day to demand a speedy transfer of power to a civilian government. Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
