Central Security Forces (CSF) arrested two teenagers near the Semiramis Hotel in Cairo on Tuesday as clashes reoccurred in the area. Abdel Hameed Waleed, a friend of the arrested teenagers, alleged that CSF members arrested his two friends and beat them in the hotel garage. Clashes took place on Monday as protesters hurled rocks and Molotov cocktails at the CSF, who responded by firing teargas and arresting several protesters. Protesters also blocked the nearby Corniche road and Qasr Al-Nil Bridge, halting traffic in the area. The clashes broke out on Sunday in reaction to the CSF arrests of 71 people at the ongoing sit-in in Tahrir Square. 12 of the 71 were released on Monday. Those arrested were accused of possession of firearms, knives and Molotov cocktails, and of attacking security forces. Protesters gathered on Qasr Al-Nil Bridge, where they set car tires on fire to block the bridge. Police reopened the bridge and no arrests took place. The clashes then moved to Tahrir Square and Mohamed Mahmoud Street, where protesters burnt two CSF vehicles. Police arrested several protesters and the Egyptian Social Democratic Party accused them of hitting protesters with a vehicle, killing two and injuring 15.
