Ian Birrell

Millions of shattered lives

Rania Abouzeid relies on a small cast of characters to explain why decent demands for democracy sparked such carnage and chaos

issue 28 April 2018

The fateful day five years ago began like any other for the family. A pot of black tea with cardamon seeds sat on the table as Sara roused her youngest children and prepared them for school. But there were tiny clues. Leila, just turned 16 and wearing a floor-length dress, unusually offered to help.

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