Egyptian doctors stage anti-police protests

Thousands of doctors in Egypt staged a rare protest against police abuse on Friday, February 12

The demonstrations have been sparked by accusations that two doctors were assaulted by security forces in Cairo’s Matariya hospital on January 28.

One police officer is alleged to have pulled out a gun and others violently forced two doctors into a vehicle before driving them to a police station.

In solidarity, the doctors threatened strike action if the responsible police officers will not be held accountable.

Such protests are rare under Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi’s regime. In statements, the Doctors’ Syndicate Chairman Hussein Khairy called the turnout «historic» and «unprecedented».

The brave doctors of #Egypt are fighting for dignity and standing against abuse. #Respect pic.twitter.com/Wg29cB1hYB

— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) February 12, 2016

The protests have also taken to social media under the hashtag #Support_The_Doctors_Syndicate, currently trending in the country.