A group of protestors in Egypt have come scarily close to beating a half-blind man after mistakenly identifying him as the Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi.

Protesters outside of the presidential palace surrounded and attempted to beat Gamal Sayed, 56, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the president.

The men demanded Sayed's National Identity Card, while others attempted to pull him into a tent and beat him up. Luckily, onlookers intervened and explained that the president's doppelganger was simply an ordinary citizen in town to file a complaint with the presidential ombudsman. 

Upon finding this out, the protestors were reportedly fully apologetic and all parties made light of the situation, posing for pictures in front of the palace. 

Sayed was apparently quite the good sport, all things considered. He happily agreed, even taking part in what turned into a good joke amongst the protestors. He is said to have opened his jacket to mimic a famous photo shot of Morsi in Tahrir, when he sought to demonstrate to supporters that he was not wearing a bulletproof vest.

According to the Egypt Independent, passers-by also began streaming over after protesters told them they could take a photo with the "president". Policemen arriving at the site after hearing protesters say that they had "arrested the president" are not as likely to have seen the funny side.

“I did not think I resembled the president to that extent that the people would think I was him,” said Sayed, adding that he was frightened when the protesters yelled “Morsi!” at him.

Asked why he came to the palace, Sayed said, “My right eye is completely blind and one of my legs is handicapped. I am 56 and have no source of income. I came here to ask for a kiosk anywhere, a bicycle cart or a pension.”