Bedouins block Sinai highway to demand prisoners' release

Tue, 03/05/2011

Dozens of armed Bedouins on Wednesday blocked a Sinai highway to call for the release of their imprisoned relatives, a security source has said.

Armed Bedouins in cars blocked an intersection on the Ras Sudr-Sharm el-Sheikh highway near the city of Abu Zneen to push for the release of their relatives, the source said.

Authorities had promised to release the protesters' relatives a few days ago, the source said. Security and military authorities are currently trying to disperse the protesters and reopen the road to traffic.

During former President Hosni Mubarak's reign, Bedouins voiced concerns about random arrests and a lack of development projects in the Sinai.

Egyptian police have consistently accused Bedouins of smuggling arms into Gaza and African migrants across Israeli border.

Tens of thousands of Bedouins staged protests during the 25 January revolution to call for solutions to unemployment in North Sinai and the release of Bedouins arrested four years ago without trial.

Source: al-Masry al-Youm.
Link: http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/422200.