Protest victim is 'martyr of God' says uncle

The uncle of a 15-year-old boy killed whilst trying to defend the headquarters of Egypt's Freedom and Justice Party has described him as a "martyr of God." Islam Fathi Massoud, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood was murdered when he tried to block anti-government protesters from entering the premises in Beheira. His uncle Mohammed Badr has told Arabstoday that the youngster did not use violence and tried to engage into dialogue with the protesters, but failed and was shot dead. Massoud was studying in secondary school and the youngest in the family, living with his mother and relying on his older brother, who was at university, for financial support. Badr says the family has lost a breadwinner, seen as his father passed away when he was seven. He added that his nephew prepared food for his mother, who was ill, before heading to the protest. Violence clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces have been happening for the last three days. The protests are in response to President Mohammed Morsi's recent constitutional declaration which opponents claim gives him sweeping powers.