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Egypt probes Morsi complaints

July 13, 2013

Egypt has announced a criminal investigation against ousted president Mohammed Morsi. Prosecutors have said they would examine complaints of spying, inciting violence and damaging the economy.

https://p.dw.com/p/197OK
Members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi hold up masks of him as they gather at the Rabaa Adawiya square, where they are camping, in Cairo July 12, 2013. Tens of thousands of Egyptians packed into squares and marched along streets in Cairo on Friday to protest against the military overthrow of Islamist President Mursi, and the United States called for the first time for him to be freed. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Image: Reuters

Egypt's prosecutor general's office on Saturday said it had begun investigating complaints against ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi and senior members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

In a statement, the prosecutor's office said the complaints include collaborating with foreign bodies to damage Egypt's national interests, inciting and killing peaceful protesters, attacking military barracks and damaging the economy.

The complaints are a first step in the criminal process, which allow prosecutors to begin an investigation that can lead to charges.

Top Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie was included in the complaints. Badie and several other Brotherhood officials already face charges for inciting violence that were announced earlier this week.

The army removed Morsi on July 3 after millions of Egyptians took to the streets demanding his removal. However, the military overthrow has sparked deadly clashes and deepened divisions across Egypt, marring the onset of the holy month of Ramadan.

Pro-Morsi supporters have called the power transfer "a bloody military coup," and have vowed to remain in the streets until Morsi is reinstated.

Morsi, the country's first democratically elected president, has been held at an undisclosed location since the army removed him from power, but he has not yet been charged with any crime.

The United States and Germany have called for Morsi's immediate release.

In Berlin on Friday, Germany's Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schäfer said the "restrictive residency measures" for the deposed Morsi must end and access to a "neutral institution" should be granted.

The ministry also warned Egypt's interim administration against arbitrary arrests, stating that there should be "no political persecution" and "any semblance of selective justice" must be avoided.

United States State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the US agreed with Germany's earlier appeal for Morsi to be released, and was "publicly" making the same request.

hc/jr (Reuters, AFP, AP, dpa)

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An Egyptian flag stained with blood flutters over members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi as they shout slogans during a protest outside Raba El-Adwyia mosque in Cairo July 8, 2013, following clashes in front of the Republican Guard headquarters. At least 51 people were killed on Monday when demonstrators enraged by the military overthrow of Egypt's elected Islamist president said the army opened fire during morning prayers outside the Cairo barracks where Mursi is believed to be held. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

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Mohammed Morsi's ousting by the military was welcomed by most, but Egypt's future is uncertain. The Muslim Brotherhood and its supporters are at loggerheads with those supporting the army. (13.07.2013)
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Supporters of the ousted President Mohamed Mursi shout during a protest in Cairo July 12, 2013. Supporters of Mursi called for protests on Friday and Egyptians prayed there would be no repeat of clashes that have killed more than 90 people in the last week in the bitterly divided Arab nation. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Islamists demand Morsi's return

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Thousands of Morsi supporters have increased calls for their ousted president to be reinstated. This comes as prosecutors announced a criminal investigation into the Islamist leader, who has been secretly held by the military for nearly two weeks.
July 14, 201301:32 min