In Video: Egyptian security forces detain participants in Steadfastness Convoy at Cairo Airport
SANAA, June 12 (YPA) – Egyptian security forces detained more than 200 foreign and Arab activists upon their arrival at Cairo Airport or in their hotels, due to their participation in the global march to Gaza, according to the march’s spokesperson, Seif Abu Kishk.
Meanwhile, Egyptian media reported that Egyptian security forces detained dozens of Tunisians, French, and Algerians at Cairo Airport.
They added that Egyptian police stormed the Downtown Hotel and another hotel in downtown Cairo, where members of the French delegation participating in the convoy were staying, before contact with them was lost.
Earlier, the Mada Masr website revealed that Cairo Airport authorities had already begun arresting and returning a number of those who had come to participate in the march, while others who had already arrived in Egypt were deported.
Meanwhile, Algerian lawyer Fatiha Rouibi said that since this morning, Egyptian security has been detaining 40 Algerians, including three lawyers, who were prevented from entering Egypt after arriving at Cairo Airport to participate in the march.
Cairo Airport authorities also returned more than ten members of the Moroccan delegation who arrived today to participate in the march.
Meanwhile, Turkish citizens who had arrived in Cairo to participate in the march also were deported after they were spotted carrying Palestinian flags outside their hotel.
Previously, the Tunisian Rasd platform reported that Cairo Airport security was detaining a Tunisian women’s delegation coming to participate in the Steadfastness Convoy.
In the first official comment, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Wednesday regarding what is known in the media as the “Steadfastness Convoy” heading to the besieged Gaza Strip, via the Rafah crossing, stressing that no delegation or convoy is allowed to cross Egyptian territory towards Rafah except through prior coordination with official authorities and in compliance with the security measures in place in sensitive border areas.
In the statement, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that: “Entry into the country’s territory is organized according to specific legal and security rules and regulations, including obtaining the necessary approvals through approved diplomatic channels.”
On Wednesday, “Israel” urged Egypt to prevent protesters from reaching the border area and warned against any “provocations or attempts to enter Gaza,” coinciding with the march participants heading to Egypt and the departure of another convoy called “Steadfastness” from Tunisia heading to Rafah.