A resident of Sayadeen village in Alexandria governorate revealed details about the Egyptian security forces’ attempt to forcibly remove the inhabitants of the village despite their possession of documents proving their ownership of the land and properties. The inhabitants were beaten, and dozens were arrested and jailed after being referred for investigation to the military prosecution in Alexandria.

Ahmed Abdul Menhem, who hails from Sayadeen village, told Al-Monitor, “The residents were surprised with the security forces storming the village with armored vehicles on July 18, in an attempt to force them to leave. They promised to give the residents alternative housing, but they rejected the offer. The security forces then threw tear gas grenades at them.”

Abdul Menhem, who witnessed the incident, said, “After the residents escaped, the security forces arrested dozens in an arbitrary arrest operation and raided houses to terrorize them. We were forced to leave our houses and village at once. It later turned out the alternative offered was housing with no ownership and without compensation, reneging on their previous promises. This would have made us tenants and not home owners. When we refused, we were attacked.”

On July 19, the Cairo-based Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms published surprising information about the 65 people that were detained, saying that “they were referred to the military prosecution, which decided to imprison 42 inhabitants after releasing 13 women.”