Hundreds of thousands of people gathered Cairo’s Tahrir (Liberation) square on Friday to “correct†the course of the revolution that toppled longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak and press the ruling military council to speed up the trial of members of the former regime.
A large stage was erected in the square, tents were pitched in the middle of it and a large sunshade covered its center, providing much needed relief from the scorching sun, and temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius (about 99 Fahrenheit).
"Our revolution continues," read one banner on the side of the square.
Holding a large sign, one man complained: "We haven’t felt any change. We removed Mubarak and got a field marshall."
He was referring to Hussein Tantawi, the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which took power in February 2011 and has vowed to pave the way for a democratic system.
But the armed forces, hailed as heroes at the start of the uprising for not siding with Mr. Mubarak, have come under fire from local and international rights groups for alleged abuses.
Thousands also turned out in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria and hundreds protested in the canal city of Suez.
Among the key demands at Friday’s protests are the end to military trials of civilians, the sacking and trying of police officers accused of killing protesters, and the thorough and transparent trials of former regime officials.
Activists have repeatedly denounced the handling of legal proceedings against security forces that used deadly violence in the uprising that toppled Mr. Mubarak, killing 846 civilians.
Pro-democracy activists say police officials responsible for repression before and during the revolt are still showing up for work.
In an apparently preemptive move, a prosecutor on Thursday referred to trial 25 Mubarak-era officials for their part in organizing a Feb. 2 attack on anti-regime protesters in which assailants on horses and camels charged into crowds, Egypt’s official news agency reported.
The Middle East News Agency said that those to stand trial included the speakers of parliament’s two chambers, lawmakers from Mr. Mubarak’s ruling party, Cabinet ministers and business people.
The attackers were armed with whips and swords.
The agency says prosecutor Mahmoud El Sabrout charged the 25 with manslaughter, attempted murder and assault.
The 83-year-old Mr. Mubarak is scheduled to face trial next month for the deadly crackdown.