Egypt detains pro-Palestinian activists ahead of Gaza solidarity march
"Over 200 participants were detained at Cairo airport or questioned at hotels across Cairo," the march's spokesperson, Saif Abukeshek, told France's AFP news agency on Thursday.
The detainees included people from Algeria, Australia, France, Morocco, the Netherlands, Spain and the United States, he said.
Plainclothes officers entered Cairo hotels on Wednesday with lists of names, questioning activists, and in some cases, confiscating phones and searching personal belongings, Abukeshek said.
"After interrogations, some were arrested and others were released."
More than 20 French activists who had planned to join [Friday's] march were held at Cairo airport for 18 hours, he said.
"What happened was completely unexpected," Abukeshek said.
Egyptian authorities said the measures were the result of failure to follow proper procedures, including obtaining prior consent from embassies and securing visas.
Cairo maintains that the march towards Rafah constitutes a threat to both its own security and that of the participants.
After 21 months of war, Israel is facing mounting international pressure to allow more aid into Gaza, which the United Nations has dubbed "the hungriest place on Earth".
Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:French left demonstrates in support of Gaza-bound aid boatIsrael sends military to block Gaza-bound aid boat carrying activistsFrance threatens tougher stance on Israel as US proposes new Gaza ceasefire plan
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