Sharjah24 – Reuters: A heavy police presence smothered central Algiers on Friday, effectively blocking a resumption of a weekly protest movement that the authorities have decided they can no longer tolerate.
About 20 security forces vehicles in the city centre, six police sitting inside one as it stood by a cafe where people drank coffee at tables outside. Nearby, police stood next to barriers closing off the side streets.
On Friday afternoon viewed several parts of the capital where protests normally took place, but all were quiet - and with a large police presence.
The Interior Ministry said this month that any new protests would require an official permit that named the organisers and included start and finishing times.
It appeared aimed at the leaderless, unorganised Hirak, which had stopped protesting in March 2020 when the global pandemic struck, but returned to the streets in February with thousands demonstrating each Friday since then.
For an optimal experience, please
