Egyptian security forces have fired tear gas on around 3,000 protesters, including family members of those who were killed in the popular uprising early this year, leaving several injured.
A thick cloud of tear gas engulfed Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the massive protests that ousted long-time President Hosni Mubarak, as agitators were on Tuesday evening seen running and covering their faces to protect themselves from lachrymatory agent’s irritation.
At least eight people had been injured the clash between police and the protesters, including family members of more than 840 people who died during the Egyptian uprising, Al Jazeera reported. The clash was instigated when some demonstrators started pelting stones on security forces.
According to eyewitnesses, protesters at Tahrir Square chanted: “The people demand the fall of the field marshal,” a reference to Hussein Tantawi, the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which took power when Mubarak stepped down.
Families of those killed are frustrated with what they say is the slow prosecution of security officers believed responsible for the deaths of protesters during the uprising.
