Hacker displays protest video on screen at Cairo mall

Police carry out inquiries over the incident, but deny reports of arrests

A screengrab shows an image displayed at the shopping mall in Cairo

An anti-government video was displayed at a mall in Cairo after a hacker gained control of advertising screens, an Egyptian rights group said.

Police have questioned people over the incident, which occurred in one of the Egyptian capital's lower-income commercial districts.

The video, which was recorded by residents and shared on social media, included images of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

Police told The National that several people were questioned over the video, but denied reports of arrests.

"The police stayed in the street until past midnight and spoke to passers-by. I don’t think anyone knew who was behind it in the end," Hossam Ali, 29, who lives close to the shopping centre, told The National.

There has been an increase in posts on social media urging Egyptians to hold demonstrations, as the country faces daily power cuts that have affected businesses and people's everyday lives.

The rising cost of living has caused growing concern among Egyptians, as the country introduces economic reforms following talks with western powers and the International Monetary Fund.

The reforms include a gradual lifting of subsidies on food and fuel, in addition to devaluations of the Egyptian pound, which has lost 70 per cent of its value since 2022.