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Algiers police prevent weekly student demo for first time
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Algerian police on Tuesday prevented a weekly protest by students in the capital for the first time since an anti-regime movement erupted into the streets in February, AFP journalists and witnesses said.They forcefully barred access to a square in central Algiers and managed to disperse the demonstrators after several forays, making at least 14 arrests, an action group for the release of detainees said. "Police brutality reached a level not seen since the start of the demonstrations, according to several students," El-Watan newspaper wrote on its website. The prevention of the student march - a rally that takes place each Tuesday - follows a wave of arrests of journalists, activists and figures opposed to a December 12 presidential vote to replace longtime leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika  ...10th president-for-life of Algeria. He was elected in 1999 and served on his third or four terms. When he announced for the fifth, or maybe it was the sixth, visibly doddering, a grateful nation rose up in its wrath and threw him out...who resigned in April after mass protests. Security forces have toughened their line against protests - including much larger rallies held each Friday, extending well beyond the student community - since the election date was confirmed in a mid-September announcement. Protesters have been demanding political reforms and the removal of regime insiders - including Gaid Salah himself - before any vote. Related: Algiers: 2019-09-23 Lebanese man nabbed in Greece ‘mistaken’ for Flight 847 hijacker, officials say Algiers: 2019-09-22 Greek police make arrest in 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847 Algiers: 2019-09-18 Algerians protest against planned presidential vote Related: Abdelaziz Bouteflika: 2019-09-18 Algerians protest against planned presidential vote Abdelaziz Bouteflika: 2019-09-14 Algerians take to the streets to oppose presidential poll Abdelaziz Bouteflika: 2019-06-22 Protests in Algeria as prominent figures arrested in graft probe Related: Gaid Salah: 2019-09-18 Algerians protest against planned presidential vote Gaid Salah: 2019-09-14 Algerians take to the streets to oppose presidential poll Gaid Salah: 2019-09-07 Algerians protest over plan for swift elections Posted by: Fred 2019-10-09 |
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