Officials in Egypt say police have fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of Islamists rallying in Cairo and other cities against an upcoming constitutional referendum.
Supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood clashed with police in Nasr City in Egypt's capital Cairo on Friday, defying an ever-widening state crackdown on the movement that ruled the country until six months ago.
The protesters chanted slogans against Abdal Fattah el-Sisi, the head of the Egyptian military, while calling on people to boycott what they described as the 'referendum of blood'. Protesters put up posters reading: 'Boycott.'
Masked protesters set tires ablaze, hurled bricks and shot fireworks towards security forces with riot gear. Police fired tear gas and birdshot as they clashed with the protesters. While many could be seen coughing from the tear gas, no casualties have been reported.
Egyptian authorities have been cracking down on the Brotherhood since the military deposed Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July following mass protests against his rule.
The government accuses the Brotherhood of turning to violence and declared it a terrorist group on Dec. 25. The group says it is committed to peaceful protest.
The crackdown has reduced but not entirely broken the ability of the Brotherhood to mobilize protests. It has lately been relying on students to sustain momentum against what it refers to as the regime governing Egypt.
A new constitution to be voted on at a referendum on January 14-15 will ban religiously based political parties and give more power to the military. The army-backed authorities say the constitution will pave the way for a return to democratic rule.
Authorities have pledged to hold a secure referendum, despite the daily protests and frequent bomb attacks against the security services over the past months.
Source: Reuters
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