Egypt's "Black Bloc" emerges amid increasing unrest
Author: Nehal El-Sherif
Cairo (dpa) - A new Egyptian political movement, Black Bloc, made its first appearance last week on the eve of the second anniversary of the popular revolt that ousted longtime leader Hosny Mubarak.
Dressed in black outfits and masks, Black Bloc members appeared on a video that was released online claiming they would protect demonstrators against the Muslim Brotherhood and attacks by security officials.
"We are the Black Bloc ... seeking people's liberation, the fall of corruption and the toppling of the tyrant," according to the video posted online to announce the group's formation.
"We had to come out officially to confront the fascist tyrant regime of the Muslim Brotherhood with its military wing," the video said. "And we warn the police force not to interfere, because if they do we will not hesitate to respond."
The group appears to have been influenced by black-clad European protesters whose tactics were first developed in the 1970s in Germany to counter increased use of force by the police against demonstrators. Mass arrests and attacks by security on protesters were met with riots and looting. The media in Germany labelled them the Black Bloc.
The tactics developed on the streets of Germany have since been used in different countries mostly by leftists at anti-nuclear, May Day and anti-World Trade Organization rallies.
The video posted by the Egyptian group went viral and shortly after men wearing all-black clothes appeared in Cairo, Alexandria and other cities, banging drums and saying they will "continue the revolution."
On Friday, groups of people, allegedly belonging to the Bloc, barricaded one of Cairo's main bridges with burning tyres to prevent people from crossing.
Their numbers are not yet known, however, in few days, they were seen among protesters clashing with police forces in several cities.
A statement published on the social networking site Facebook said the group claimed responsibility for an attack on the office of the Muslim Brotherhood's official website.
The independent al-Watan newspaper reported that the founder of the group, a university student named Sherif al-Serafi, said that the group seeks retribution for those who were killed since the January 25 revolt.
However, both the Facebook statement and al-Serafi's claim to speak on behalf of the group could not be independently confirmed due to the obscure nature of the group.
Some people claim they are connected to hardcore football fans, known as the Ultras, as both appeared to be highly-organized. The Ultras have played a key role in protests over the past two years.
On Tuesday, Egypt's Prosecutor General ordered the arrest of all members of the so-called Black Bloc for questioning on suspicion of forming a terrorist group.
The anarchist group have emerged as unrest spreads across the country. Clashes in different provinces have left around 50 people dead.
Opposition groups have expressed concern that the Black Bloc's violent tactics will undermine their peaceful protests and political means.
The Muslim Brotherhood, to which President Mohammed Morsi belongs, has condemned the group as "a group of thugs."
Cairo (dpa) - A new Egyptian political movement, Black Bloc, made its first appearance last week on the eve of the second anniversary of the popular revolt that ousted longtime leader Hosny Mubarak.
Dressed in black outfits and masks, Black Bloc members appeared on a video that was released online claiming they would protect demonstrators against the Muslim Brotherhood and attacks by security officials.
"We are the Black Bloc ... seeking people's liberation, the fall of corruption and the toppling of the tyrant," according to the video posted online to announce the group's formation.
"We had to come out officially to confront the fascist tyrant regime of the Muslim Brotherhood with its military wing," the video said. "And we warn the police force not to interfere, because if they do we will not hesitate to respond."
The group appears to have been influenced by black-clad European protesters whose tactics were first developed in the 1970s in Germany to counter increased use of force by the police against demonstrators. Mass arrests and attacks by security on protesters were met with riots and looting. The media in Germany labelled them the Black Bloc.
The tactics developed on the streets of Germany have since been used in different countries mostly by leftists at anti-nuclear, May Day and anti-World Trade Organization rallies.
The video posted by the Egyptian group went viral and shortly after men wearing all-black clothes appeared in Cairo, Alexandria and other cities, banging drums and saying they will "continue the revolution."
On Friday, groups of people, allegedly belonging to the Bloc, barricaded one of Cairo's main bridges with burning tyres to prevent people from crossing.
Their numbers are not yet known, however, in few days, they were seen among protesters clashing with police forces in several cities.
A statement published on the social networking site Facebook said the group claimed responsibility for an attack on the office of the Muslim Brotherhood's official website.
The independent al-Watan newspaper reported that the founder of the group, a university student named Sherif al-Serafi, said that the group seeks retribution for those who were killed since the January 25 revolt.
However, both the Facebook statement and al-Serafi's claim to speak on behalf of the group could not be independently confirmed due to the obscure nature of the group.
Some people claim they are connected to hardcore football fans, known as the Ultras, as both appeared to be highly-organized. The Ultras have played a key role in protests over the past two years.
On Tuesday, Egypt's Prosecutor General ordered the arrest of all members of the so-called Black Bloc for questioning on suspicion of forming a terrorist group.
The anarchist group have emerged as unrest spreads across the country. Clashes in different provinces have left around 50 people dead.
Opposition groups have expressed concern that the Black Bloc's violent tactics will undermine their peaceful protests and political means.
The Muslim Brotherhood, to which President Mohammed Morsi belongs, has condemned the group as "a group of thugs."
