Slideshow + report: Protesters outside Cairo’s Constitutional Court

Egyptian activists are accusing the military of a "soft coup" after the country's highest court ruled the parliament was illegal and allowed a Mubarak-era prime minister to continue his bid for the presidency. Several hundred protesters gathered outside Cairo’s Constitutional Court on Thursday to protest against the ruling allowing Ahmed Shafiq to stand in the second round of the presidential elections.

Daniel Finnan

Factions from groups including the Ultras, 6 April and Kefaya movement braved the searing sun to demonstrate against a candidate they see as part of deposed presidenty Hosni Mubarak's old regime.

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Protesters outside Cairo’s Constitutional Court

Daniel Finnan

Traffic on the Corniche El Nil road slowed to a trickle, until the army sealed off the road completely in response to small clashes that broke out when a taxi accidentally touched a protester.

Some protesters decided to take their protest to Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

Others remained in situ, shouting slogans against the army and Shafiq throughout the day.