Egypt's MB urges Friday rally boycott

A file photo of protesters gathering in Cairo's Liberation Square on Feb. 1, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/181275.html

A major Egyptian political organization has called for the boycott of a nationwide protest next Friday, insisting that acceleration of former President Hosni Mubarak's trial as the objective of the rallies is misleading.

The Muslim Brotherhood is reportedly urging Egyptians to stay away from the May 27 demonstrations, also alleging that the aim of the protests is to push for a new constitution before an election.

"The claim that the aim of the protests is to pressure the junta into speeding up the trials is false... The real goal behind the 27 May protest is to push for a constitution before the elections and to circumvent the will of the people," local sources quoted the group as saying on Sunday.

Egyptian activists and political groups have reportedly called for rallies at Cairo's Liberation Square and cities nationwide on May 27 to protest against the idea of an amnesty for Mubarak and other top government figures within his circle, urging speedy trials for them.

The former opposition group has also announced that rejecting to participate in the Friday rallies is a national duty.

Egypt's ruling military council, however, has rejected reports that it may pardon Mubarak or any of his associates. The council said in a statement on Wednesday that it would not intervene in judicial matters.

Mubarak has reportedly asked for the opportunity to make a televised nationwide address to plead with the Egyptian people to forgive him and his family members.

Yet, Egyptians are reported to be widely opposed to granting amnesty to Mubarak, holding him responsible for the killing of protesters during the North African country's February revolution and brutally suppressing any expression of opposition during his 31-year rule.

Mubarak and his family members are currently being investigated over alleged involvement in corruption as well as the harsh crackdown on protesters that toppled the US-backed regime on February 11.

Egypt's judicial sources say the ousted president could face the death penalty if he is found guilty of killing anti-regime protesters during the revolution.