Plastic handcuffs, or “zip tie” handcuffs have become popular in the US, Israel, and I assume in Egypt, for the mass arrests of protesters. Plastic handcuffs are cheap, easy, and disposable; and police and the military often use them instead of metal handcuffs when there are large numbers of people being detained. Once detainees have been shifted to some sort of detention facility, conventional handcuffs may be used as needed.
Activists should be aware of this police tactic, and should be prepared for it. Just because they have tied your hands, you do not have to accept the inevitability of arrest.
There are a number of physical tricks you can use to break free from zip tie handcuffs because the locking mechanism is relatively weak. From my own experience, even traditional handcuffs can often be opened if too much pressure is suddenly exerted against the locking mechanism.
For zip tie ‘cuffs, tighten the handcuffs as much as possible (this increases the tension on the lock), then lift your fists over your head; with a sudden and forceful jerk, swing your hands down and apart (as if you are punching yourself in the stomach). This normally will pop the lock of the zip ties, and you are free.
I advise activists to carry with them a straightened hair pin with the rubber ends removed, as this can easily be used to push into the locking mechanism to release the locking bar.
Alternatively, you should carry a cigarette lighter, as this will quickly melt the zip tie ‘cuffs and set you free. If you are gathered together at a demonstration site with other detainees while police wait for vehicles to transport you to a detention facility; try to use a hairpin or a lighter to free each other if your hands are behind your backs.
May Allah protect you.
