Egypt’s prosecutors released on Monday five youths who were arrested for protesting against the recent agreement between Egypt and Saudi Arabia that declared the islands of Tiran and Sanafir within the latter country’s maritime territory. Egyptian Streets had previously reported, based on figures from Al-Shorouk and Al-Watan, that 11 individuals were arrested. However, it appears that only five, including three women, were arrested and they have all since been released. The protesters were arrested on Sunday after demonstrating in downtown Cairo’s Talaat Harb Square, shortly before Saudi Arabian King Salman was due to give a speech to Egypt’s parliament. The Egyptian Cabinet had announced on Saturday that Egypt and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement outlining the two countries’ maritime borders, placing the disputed islands of Sanafir and Tiran within the kingdom’s territory. The agreement, which came as a surprise, prompted outrage on social media. #Tiran_Sanafir (#تيران_صنافير) became the top trending hashtag in Egypt on Twitter, with more than 28,000 tweets posted in relation to the decision. Some social media users have accused President Sisi of “selling the country to Saudi Arabia,” while others have supported the decision, arguing that previous governments…
Egypt Releases Protestors Arrested for Demonstrating Against Sanafir and Tiran Island Agreement
April 11, 2016
