On the fifth anniversary of the January 25th revolution, there was little anticipation for any visible forms of disgruntlement in Egypt. Given the protest law that prohibits any demonstrations without interior ministry consent and the already incessant crackdown on government opposition, the slightest form of opposition on the day would have been met with severe force. There have been allegations of abductions, unlawful imprisonment and torture made towards the interior ministry. Egypt’s criminal procedures law states that a detainee facing accusations that could lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty can only stay in prison for a maximum of two years if not yet charged. Yet, according to Amnesty International, there have been over 700 detainees held without trials for over two years. Therefore, it is safe to assume that security forces were well-prepared for the day. However, there was one thing they could not dispel on the fifth anniversary of the revolution: Satire. In a widely circulated video, Egyptian satirist Shady Hussein and prominent young actor Ahmed Malek went to Tahrir Square, which was densely populated with police forces on the revolution’s anniversary. Masquerading as ardent supporters of the police,…
