Egypt: Violent eviction from land

The International Secretariat of OMCT has received with concern information from reliable sources concerning violent eviction from land of Egyptian farmers, false charges against farmers, the holding of farmers wives as hostages, the arrest of children and the immanent trial of several persons, including women, on fabricated charges. Twenty three farmers are reportedly being detained waiting trail before Damanhour court on the 19th of June 2006 as a result of the violent invasion of their land described below. Further, it is reported that wives of farmers are still being held hostage by police to force their husbands to surrender.