Tomorrow, 25 April, is a national holiday for Sinai Liberation day. While the nation will be off, there are calls for protests over the return of Sanafir and Tiran islands to Saudi Arabia. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi denied media reports that he ordered a crackdown on the protests in a statement issued Thursday, according to DNE. On Wednesday, Al Shorouk had published a story quoting unnamed sources that said El Sisi had commanded his aides to tighten security ahead of the protests. Meanwhile on Thursday and Friday, dozens were reportedly arrested from cafes, private residences, and streets in several governorates, according to Mada Masr. Freedom of the Brave has a list of some of those allegedly arrested on their Facebook page. According to a count by the Front of Defence for Egyptian Protesters, at least 88 had been arrested during the security raids on Thursday and Friday, with fourteen released from custody since then, according to DNE. Meanwhile Lawyer Amr Imam tells Ahram Online the number is at least 100. The Prosecutor General’s Office ordered on Saturday the arrest of 33 people thought to be planning protests on Monday on charges of sedition, conspiring to overthrow the regime, and inciting violence in service of terrorism, Al Shorouk adds. The story is getting widespread attention in Western newspapers on the back of this report by the Associated Press.

** Enterprise is off tomorrow (Monday, 25 April) in observance of Sinai Liberation Day. The publication holiday will apply to both our Egypt and GCC editions. We’ll be back on Tuesday.