Egypt's security use
force to disperse activists
Egyptian
State Security has used force to disperse activists trying to
hold a symbolic trial of Egypt 's ruling party.
The activists said the symbolic trial of Egypt 's National
Democratic Party (NDP) was aimed at highlighting state
oppression before a parliamentary election later this year.
The Trial
A lawyer who coordinated the event, Muntasar al Zayaat, said
such trials aim to expose the failed policies of the National
Party, which was considered as the cause of economic corruption,
social disruption and the delay in Egyptian political life.
Security men in civilian clothes beat some of the activists who
gathered to hold the event at a lawyers' club south of Cairo. A
state security source said the activists did not have a permit
to gather.
The Election
Government officials say elections in Egypt are fair but rights
groups cite widespread violations whenever Egyptians go to the
polls.
Eighty-one-years President Hosni Mubarak, who has been in power
for almost three decades, has not said if he will run for a
sixth six-year term in the 2011 presidential election.
Many Egyptians believe that, if he does not, he will try to hand
power to his politician son.
REUTERS/Williams/Alade
