CAIRO: The appearance of unusual sketches on the pavements of Downtown Cairo and Zamalek was traced back by security forces to a group who refer to themselves as “Emos.”

Featuring images such as a headless man with a broomstick, were disconcerting to residents in the area prompting them to alert security forces, who detained three people on suspicion of belonging to the group.

Members of the Emo group, short for ‘emotion,’ had recently appeared on a Dream TV talk show and explained that what brings them together is “emotion,” adding that it is a fundamental principle and source of power.

The group is a local branch of an international movement, known for resorting to self-inflicted violence to escape psychological pain. However, members of the local chapter denied resorting to such methods.

During their appearance on Dream TV’s “Al-Haqiqa” (The Truth) they explained that “Emo is an emotional group that strengthens friendships between boys and girls,” fending off rumors of being homosexual.

On their Facebook page – that so far has 2,000 members – the group explains that “there is more to Emo than hair and looks. Emo is a state of mind. Emo is much like Goth. But, Goth is darker. Emo is more emotional, harder to fake.”