Egypt presidential candidate Hazem Saleh Abu Ismail launched an attack on the media on Thursday on his official Facebook page, saying that they are “forging” the truth. “The media is trying its best to forge the facts and cheat the people that the events of the Abbassiya were caused by supporters of Hazem Abu Ismail,” read the statement. Abu Ismail came under fire from the press and some activists for initiating the sit-in call last Friday outside the ministry of defense, where it later was attacked by militants repeatedly last week killing one person and injuring scores over the weekend. The violence then escalated early Wednesday morning and left at least 17 dead, according to activists and eye witnesses. “Some individuals and groups have called on me directly to stop these events so it would be rooted in the mind of the public that I was behind them,” he added. “I repeat what I said more than once; those who protested for me i ask them to leave, and those who took the streets for the cause they are free to do what they wish and I have no authority over them,” the statement added. Ismail was heavily criticized for “inciting” his followers to march towards Abbassiya but failed to comment or react when violence started. Writers and thinkers attacked him for staying put on Wednesday and not joining the other presidential candidates who joined the marches that took place in support of the protesters. Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, Khaled Ali, Hamdeen Sabahi, and other prominent presidential candidates have suspended their campaign and joined the protesters Aboul Fotouh had sent a medical team to treat the injured while other candidates visited hospitals and marched alongside the people. Abu Ismail recently faced turmoil when his candidacy was rejected after news circulated that his mother has a duel citizenship, an Egyptian and an American, which Abu Ismael denied and filed a case against the government to be allowed back into the race.
