By Daniel Tovrov: Subscribe to Daniel's RSS feed
February 3, 2012 12:28 PM EST
Wednesday's soccer riot in Egypt has was the fuel for the latest round of protests against the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF).
The Reign of Violence Intensifies in Egypt as People Continue to Loss Their Lives Watch Video
On Friday, demonstrations outside of the Interior Ministry in Cairo, the headquarters of state security operations, turned violent; protestors, armed with stones, were met by riot police who fired tear gas and buckshot into the crowd. At least one man died after he was hit by bird shot at close range, according to reports.
Violence also erupted in Suez, where two demonstrators were killed by police gunfire, and a military officer died after being struck by a security vehicle. Around 400 people were injured.
On Wednesday, 74 people were killed following a soccer match in Port Said when home team fans stormed the field and began attacking rival spectators. Fans carrying knives, clubs and flares ran amok on the field, and many of the deaths were the result of people being trampled while trying to exit through locked gates.
While the rivalry between fans of the Al-Ahly and Al-Masry teams is years old, anger over the incident has been directed toward the military tribunal. Protestors blame the SCAF for the minimal police presence at the stadium during the match, and are upset about the council's general lack of care or sympathy toward the Egyptian people.
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Some demonstrators went as far as saying that the police purposefully allowed the riot to get out of hand.
The SCAF took control of Egypt after the fall of Hosni Mubarak one year ago. During the revolution, the army protected the people from police officers and government "thugs" but in the twelve months following Egyptian citizens have become disillusioned with the military, which has become authoritarian and often brutal.
Protests against the SCAF have turned deadly on a number of occasions. In October, 24 people were killed when security forces attacked a peaceful demonstration by Coptic Christians. Since the incident, protestors and police have continued to battle in Cairo.
Still, demonstrators continue to flock to Tahrir Square to demand the resignation of Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, the sitting head of Egypt's temporary government. Others have called for Tantawi to be executed.
Video of Friday's protests in Cairo:
The protestors are chanting "Down with army rule," according to a Guardian translation, then later "Who is the army ruling us. It is it monarchy?" Finally, they shout "Tantawi, the revolution will be back to Tahrir Square."
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