Egypt: Will a tough legal approach work?

We ask if the government has gone too far with a law that bans protests not approved by the police.



There is rising anger in Egypt as the interim government continues its crackdown on protesters. The country may be on the verge of a new chapter in its post-Mubarak protest movement.

In cities across the country, Egyptians took to the streets after Friday prayers in defiance of a new law that bans protests that have not been sanctioned by the police.

Protesters have been galvanised by a number of recent harsh jail terms dished out to people, including young girls, involved in demonstrations.

One such woman Sara, 19, is among 21 women and girls who were recently sentenced to 11 years in prison for taking part in demonstrations.

"This verdict was very shocking. It was very tough and unjust. My daughter was telling me today from prison 'Mom I am 19 years old - after 11 years when I get out of prison I will be 30 years old'. You cannot imagine how much hurt hearing those words caused me," says Abeer Youssef, Sara's mother.

Sara was found guilty by courts in Alexandria of a series of charges including thuggery, illegal gathering and damage of property.