Students Demonstrate and Sit-in At Helwan Univ. For Releasing Detained Students

Nearly 500 MB students at Helwan University organized a rally today noon calling for the release of two students who were abducted last Sunday from the Guards Leader”s office at the Industrial Education Faculty at Helwan University.

A delegation from Helwan university students went to meet Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Hani Helal, to discuss their demands. But they did not find the Minister in his office and received promises from his secretary to meet their needs.

Another group went to Prof. Abdullah Barakaat (head of the university of Helwan) who promised to send lawyers to the detained students tomorrow during their trial. He also pledged to allow for the student activities to be freely held and confirmed his intentions to visit the faculty of Industrial Education to examine the problem. Barakaat said he would visit the minister to discuss the students” case.

Students Ahmad Gamal Abdul Hamid and Yasir Abdul Nabi Ahmad were arrested Sunday from the Guards Leader”s office at the Industrial Education Faculty at Helwan University after heated argument at the office.

Students were charged with assaulting one of the guards; however the soldier himself refuted such a charge during investigations. Prosecution ordered the release of the students; but they received arrest warrants after paying the judicial guarantee. They were moved to Al Ameriya state security apparatus where they were severely tortured. Afterwards, they were moved to Wadi Annatroun Prison.