As far as she knows, none of the Dutch is stuck anymore. The group, as well as hundreds of people from other countries, was stopped on Friday at two toll roads between Cairo and Ismaïlia. There they had to hand in passports and stay in the sun for hours without food or drink. Some were subsequently mistreated by the police and “fight teams”, says the spokeswoman.
The people were then put in buses. A part was taken directly to the Tahrirplein in the Egyptian capital, others first had to pay an amount of around 50 euros per person before the bus continued.
‘Mars not held as long as Egypt does not give approval’
According to the spokeswoman, there are still around 65 Dutch people in Egypt who want to participate in the Mars, who would actually be held this weekend from El Arish to the border crossing with Gaza near Rafah.
‘Participants Mars to Gaza arrested in Egypt and plotted’
She says that the march will not be held as long as Egypt does not give approval. But according to her there are other plans, although she does not want to go into detail for safety reasons. For the Dutch participants, Saturday is now mainly a rest day.
Earlier this week, Dutch people who wanted to participate in the Mars were held at the airport of Cairo and the country was held out.