Protesters chant slogans in Tahrir Square. Photo / AP
Protesters chant slogans in Tahrir Square. Photo / AP
Three American college students have been arrested in the Cairo protests at Tahrir Square.
Luke Gates, 21, Gregory Porter, 19, and Derrick Sweeney, 21, were arrested on the roof of a university building where they were allegedly throwing firebombs at security forces fighting with protesters near Tahrir Square.
The officialspoke on condition of anonymity because there was no authorisation to speak to the media.
The students - who are studying Arabic at the American University in Cairo - have been held in Cairo since their arrest Monday night.
A friend described the incident as "a big misunderstanding", but it appears the students had been spending a lot of time at the protests.
Before he was arrested, Gates tweeted he was "throwing rocks" at security forces.
The US Department of State said it was aware of the detentions of three US citizens in connection with Tahrir Square protests and was seeking access.
The wave of protests that began Saturday has left 29 dead and thrown Egypt's politics into chaos. Tens of thousands of people filled the square Tuesday to intensify pressure on Egypt's military leaders to hand over power to a civilian government.
