Egyptian activist Ahmed Maher now also in custody

Ahmed Maher (with sunglasses) on his way to the court. (Reuters).


(Reuters) - Ahmad Maher, a leader of the 6 April movement and a symbol of the uprising that ousted president Mubarak in 2011, turned himself in to the authorities on Saturday after an order was issued for his arrest for defying the new law which restricts demonstrations.
The law, passed a week ago by the army-backed interim government has provoked an outcry among rights groups. Maher and around 100 supporters made their way to the Abdeen court, chanting: "Down, down with military rule! I'll write on the prison wall that army rule is shameful and a betrayal!"
Clashes broke out between security forces and activists outside the court after Maher turned himself in. Police fired tear gas and used their batons to disperse the crowd. Maher will be detained for at least a day one day while his case is investigated, prosecution sources told Reuters.
Maher was set free some hourse later the same day, pending investigations aginst him.

On Thursday, police arrested activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, also known for his role in the anti-Mubarak uprising. Arrest warrants had been issued for both men after they joined demonstrations outside parliament to defy the protest law.
The new law gives the Interior Ministry the right to ban any meeting of more than 10 people in a public place.
Liberals and activists who backed Morsi's overthrow are becoming more vocal against the military.