Security forces detained around 200 people after Egyptians
took part in a protest on Sept. 9 at the embassy. The protesters stormed the
embassy building and clashed with police. Three people died and more than 1,000
were injured.
Those in custody could be tried in special security courts
under emergency laws still in place after Mubarak's ouster.
Rights officials said many of those arrested were bystanders
or passersby in the residential district, which is near Cairo University and Giza
Zoo. The arrests have stoked fears of a return to tough tactics police used
under Mubarak.
"We are getting reports that many of those detained
were not related to the attacks and just happened to be in the area at that
time," said Gamal Eid, head of the Arab Network for Human Rights
Information, describing the government response as "hysterical.”
"Security officials during Mubarak's time simply used
to detain every one who was around and now the same thing has happened in the
attacks on the Israeli Embassy," Eid said.
