CAIRO: Renowned Egyptian-American columnist Mona Eltahawy was briefly detained inside the Interior Ministry by security forces for 12 hours Wednesday night, alleging sexual assault by police forces. "Five or six surrounded me, groped and prodded my breasts, grabbed my genital area and I lost count how many hands tried to get into my trousers," Eltahawy tweeted immediately after her release, adding that she was interrogated by both police officers and military intelligence as well. Eltahawy said that although military intelligence officers did not sexually assault her, they forced her to undergo interrogation. "I didn't want to go with military intelligence but one [officer] said either come politely or not. Those guys didn't beat or assault me," she said. "Instead, they blindfolded me for two hours, after keeping me waiting for three. At first I answered questions because [my] passport wasn't with me but then refused as civilian [to be interrogated by the military]," Eltahawy wrote. "Another hour later I was free with apology from military intelligence for what CSF [central security forces] did. Took pictures of my bruises and recorded a statement on sexual assault and [military intelligence] said they would investigate it and said they had no idea why I was there (sic)," Eltahawy added. Eltahawy's arms are both in a cast as a result of her alleged beating by central security forces. "The past 12 hours were painful and surreal but I know I got off much much easier than so many other Egyptians," she said. Member of No to Military Trials campaign in Alexandria Maged El-Samny was also briefly detained while protesting in Tahrir Square and was heavily beaten by police forces. El-Samny was not available for comment. Meanwhile, the General Prosecution started Thursday interrogating 23 Tahrir protesters as it released Wednesday night another 20 arrested on charges of illegal gathering, blocking traffic and vandalizing public property. By press time, movie director Jihan Nogiam was being interrogated by El-Wayli prosecution. Sixty protesters were also arrested in Alexandria since the escalation of the clashes between protesters and police forces on Saturday, but are being gradually released by the prosecution.
