A human rights group denounced the arrest of 12 Egyptians and their detainment for more than 10 hours following a friendly football match between Egypt and Congo Friday in Qatar.
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information said in a statement Saturday that Qatari police arrested the Egyptians for holding banners that condemned the killing of football fans in the violence at Port Said last month, which left 74 dead.
“The banners did not say anything unlawful, only the fans’ views on the role of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, and expressed their solidarity with the martyrs of the ultras, who died during the bloody events at Port Said stadium,” the statement said, referring to groups of hardcore football fans.
The organization said those arrested were released after interrogation and experienced “cruel and degrading” treatment.
The rights group compared the incident with that of Syrian citizens in the United Arab Emirates who demonstrated against the massacres committed by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
“The two incidents illustrate the Arab governments’ aversion to freedom of expression and restrictions on those who exercise this right, whether citizens or expatriates,” the organization said.
“The ongoing degradation of Egyptian citizens abroad under the inaction of the SCAF and its foreign ministry perpetuates the Mubarak regime’s policies and negligence to the circumstances of Egyptian abroad, and shows indifference to a slogan raised by the Egyptians during their revolution, which is human dignity,” the group said.
