Egypt Releases Detained Algerian Activists Ahead of Deportation to Algeria

Watan-Human rights sources revealed that Egyptian authorities have released a number of Algerian activists who were detained at Cairo Airport since Wednesday, in preparation for their deportation to Algeria.

The Egyptian authorities had stopped three lawyers along with several Algerian activists upon their arrival at the airport. They were intending to participate in the international march to Gaza organized by the “International Coalition Against the Occupation,” which also planned a sit-in at the Rafah border crossing to demand an end to the blockade on Gaza.

In a related move, Egyptian authorities deported a group of Moroccan activists on Wednesday who had arrived in Cairo for the same purpose.

Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement yesterday declaring that prior authorization is required to organize visits to the border region near the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, the Moroccan convoy—which departed from Tunisia and includes thousands of activists—is expected to arrive at Egypt’s western border today.