Egyptian security forces break up protests

Thousands of riot police broke up pro-reform protests today, chasing and roughing up demonstrators who had gathered to support two judges facing disciplinary action after they blew the whistle on fraud in Egyptian elections.

The two judges boycotted their disciplinary hearing to protest against the treatment of the demonstrators ahead of the planned session today.

At least eight people were arrested during the scuffles, and Al-Jazeera television said one of its cameramen was beaten by security forces, who had turned out in massive force around the court where the judges had been due to appear.

An Associated Press reporter was pushed to the ground and stepped on by uniformed police.

The Egyptian government has taken a tough new line against pro-democracy activists who have rallied around the judges and accuse President Hosni Mubarak of backing off promised reforms.

Forty-eight activists have been arrested in recent weeks.

The disciplinary hearing for the two judges, Hisham el-Bastiwisy and Mahmoud Mekki, was postponed until May 18.