(Photo by Ahmed Abdeen to DNE)
Socialist Popular Alliance Party member Mohamed Badr said Tuesday that security authorities cancelled a funeral that was planned for deceased member Shaimaa Al-Sabbagh in Cairo, the party reported on its official Facebook page.
Al-Sabbagh, who was shot dead during a protest dispersal Saturday in Talaat Harb Street in downtown Cairo, was buried in her hometown Alexandria as thousands participated in her funeral Sunday, chanting against the police.
Al-Sabbagh’s killing stirred much controversy in the past days following the party and eyewitnesses accusations that the police used excessive force in dispersing a peaceful march the party said was heading towards Tahrir Square to put flowers and pay respect to the victims of the 25 January Revolution ahead of its fourth anniversary.
In the meantime, the party held several press conferences in which they condemned the Ministry of Interior’s practices against protesters. Minister of Interior Mohamed Ibrahim also held a press conference Monday in which he denied the accusations and said would abide by the results of investigations.
Former presidential candidate and head of Al-Tayar Al-Sha’aby Hamdeen Sabahy reportedly participated in a press conference Tuesday at the Press Syndicate to demand retribution for Al-Sabbagh and the minister’s removal. On his Facebook page, Sabahy blamed the police for her killing.