Dozens injured in attempted dispersal of police sit-in

An attempt to disperse a sit-in in front of the Sharqiya Security Directorate on Sunday resulted in dozens of injuries for the striking police officers, who used their weapons against the security forces called to break the strike, state-owned Al-Ahram reported.

On Sunday morning, police fired tear gas at the protesters after they tried to break into the security directorate. In response, the protesters allegedly fired warning shots in the air to deter the strike-breakers.

The situation calmed and officials held a meeting in the directorate to seek to resolve the conflict, as ordered by Interior Minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar. However, the talks were unsuccessful and no resolution has yet been reached.

Hundreds of low-ranking police officers began their strike on Saturday in front of the security directorate over disputes concerning pay, healthcare, pensions and officers sacked without charge. They also called for a wage administration policy for all employees and their families, and the immediate application of the "promotion law," which allows officers to be promoted after obtaining a law degree.

Protesters took over six police stations and ordered their colleagues to remain inside until the demands were met. When the government failed to respond, they began calling for Ghaffar to step down.

The protesters have stated that the strike will continue unless they can negotiate with a delegation from the president's office, as they do not trust the Interior Ministry.

In an interview with privately-owned Al-Masry Al-Youm, Sharqiya security head Khaled Yehia said he tried to negotiate with protesters more than once without success. Yehia was unavailable for a statement on Sunday.

Assistant to the Interior Minister Abu Bakr Abdul Karim called the protests and the closure of stations “unacceptable." He blamed the sit-in on the Muslim Brotherhood, claiming that the group instigated the unrest to cause tension in the security apparatus. He also declined to comment.

Police protests are rare but not unheard of in Egypt. In April 2014, officers in Beheira and Wadi al-Gadid launched a protest when a colleague was arrested in Cairo International Airport. Protests then spread throughout police stations as far as Alexandria.

In February 2014, police in Kafr al-Sheikh began a campaign for a rise in wages, demanding that a set minimum and maximum wage for police officers.