The National Alliance to Support Legitimacy (NASL) condemned the arrest of its spokesperson and leading member Magdy Qurqur, accusing authorities of exercising violence on public figures who share opposing views even when they express them through peaceful means.
In a Wednesday Facebook statement, NASL called for July 3 protests in order to escalate the matter, counting on “millions of young revolutionary leaders who are capable of generating change to face the military coup.”
Qurqur was arrested Wednesday, after security forces stormed his house amid a raid on several Muslim Brotherhood members and supporters following the bombings of Itihadeya presidential palace on June 30, Aswat Masriya reported.
According to lawyer Ahsraf Omran of the pro-brotherhood Independence Party, National Security forces attacked Qurqur’s house in the district of Nasr City in Cairo, taking him to an unknown destination.
On the other hand, Secretary-General of pro-Sisi Islamist party “Al-Islah w Al Nahda” Amr Nabil stated that the arrest of NASL leading members will weaken the alliance, especially that the group has lost popular support and is therefore unable to achieve its goals, in a statement to Youm7 on Wednesday.
Qurqur is facing charges of inciting violence concerning the latest Itihadeya bomb blasts, and protests on July 3, Youm7 reported.
“Men of the regime kidnap our leaders who represent peaceful revolution while they continue to bear criticism and blame from other revolutionary forces in favor of the coup. Such actions only push towards direct conflict,” NASL said in a statement published Tuesday.
In the same statement, NASL called for a day of “rising anger on July 3, which should be an “Intifada” and the beginning of the collapse of the military coup,” urging youth and students to take to the streets and face the regime.
On July 3 2013, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, who was the Defense Minister at the time, announced in a speech that former president Mohamed Morsi was removed from power, followed by a swift crackdown on Morsi’s supporters and Muslim Brotherhood leading figures. This came as a response to wide protests against Morsi’s regime.
On the first annual commemoration of Morsi’s ouster, several revolutionary forces such as Tamarod and April 6 Youth movement announced they would not participate in any celebrations or demonstrations. On the other hand, pro-MB groups declared they will organize wide protests.
