Egyptian authorities have detained more than 90 members and supporters of the banned Muslim Brotherhood party following a demonstration the movement organized on Sunday.
Despite the crackdown, another demonstration is planned to take place on Wednesday, Reuters reported, and the authorities plan to block it.
The Muslim Brotherhood is Egypt’s largest and most organized opposition force.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak recently proposed a constitutional amendment allowing multi-candidate presidential elections instead of a referendum to extend his term, as has been the practice since 1981.
Although the measure was seen in the West as a move towards democracy, the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as other opposition parties, claims the conditions for multi-candidate elections restrict any chance of opposition parties gaining significant power. They say Mubarak is only securing his own hold over the helm.
Police gathered in central Cairo to try to stop protesters from gathering in front of the parliament building but demonstrators gathered in other locations in Cairo to voice their discontent.
Authorities said the police detained 50 protesters for refusing to disperse. Earlier, they had arrested 49 organizers of the demonstration, which authorities said was carried out without permission.
Other opposition movements such as Kifaya, or the Enough Movement, have also been demonstrating against the extension of Mubarak’s rule.
The Muslim Brotherhood usually keeps a low profile and avoids confrontations with the state, but is now taking a more active stand because the presidential elections are scheduled to take place later this year.