Supporters of Egypt’s deposed President Mohamed Morsi marched in Cairo’s Nasr City on Tuesday, bringing traffic to a standstill for more than three hours, reported the state-owned news agency, MENA. (Also see: Mohamed Morsi loyalists to be placed on trial for incitement)
The protesters chanted against the army and demanded the return of the ousted president Mohamed Morsi to his post.
Supporters of Mohamed Morsi also marched in Maadi’s Courniche, also halting traffic there as they staged a protest outside the Supreme Constitutional Court.
In addition, they formed a human chain on the ring road in Maadi, carrying pictures of Mohamed Morsi and Egyptian flags.
The traffic standstill led to quarrels between Mohamed Morsi’s supporters and drivers who were affected by the traffic standstill.
Mohamed Morsi’s office director and security advisor arrested for December clashes
A Cairo prosecution office has ordered the detention of Ahmed Abdel Atti, former director of the office of deposed President Mohamed Morsi, and the president’s Security Advisor, Ayman Hodhod, in relation to the Ittihadiya presidential palace violence in December.
They are to be held for 15 days pending investigations into the clashes between supporters of Mohamed Morsi and opponents that erupted following a constitutional decree issued by Mohamed Morsi that extended and shielded his powers from judicial review, leaving at least five killed and over 600 injured.
Both defendants are accused of participating in violent acts against protesters, detaining them illegally as well as interrogating and torturing them.
They also face charges of participating in the murder and attempted murder of some of the opponents of Mohamed Morsi during the clashes.
During investigations, both defendants denied all charges attributed to them.
Foreign pressures above international norms – Egypt media advisor
Egypt’s presidential media advisor, Ahmed al-Moslimany, said on Tuesday that foreign pressures on Egypt have surpassed international norms.
Moslimany told the state news agency that Egypt is able to protect its revolution and state.
U.S. senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham and Deputy Secretary of State William Burns are in Cairo for a visit to discuss the latest developments that the country is facing.
Many international delegations have visited Egypt to analyze the situation since the toppling of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi last month.
The delegations included the European Union’s Catherine Ashton and the German foreign minister whose remarks stirred tension among Mohamed Morsi’s opponents.
Youth groups reject national reconciliation with Brotherhood
Tamarod’s youth as well as the youth of the National Salvation Front and the June 30 Front have all rejected deals with the “terrorist” Muslim Brotherhood.
In a joint statement on Tuesday, they demanded the fair prosecution of all those who committed crimes against the Egyptian people and sabotaged political life.
The statement argued that making political deals with the Brotherhood is against the people’s aspirations who wish for real transitional justice.
It asked the interim government to guarantee just trials and transparent investigations with all defendants from Jan. 25 until now.
It also asked the authorities and security entities to confront terrorism and those who incite violence with force and decisiveness within the framework of the law, insisting that the Egyptian people are with the authorities in their fight against terror and extremism.
The groups also expressed their appreciation for the efforts exerted by the state which they argued reflect the people’s right to live without terror and extremism.
They rejected what they described as “international efforts supporting terrorism and against people’s will.”
Egypt thwarts attempt to smuggle arms from Istanbul
The Egyptian authorities at Cairo Airport thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large number of arms, Afghan and Egyptian army uniforms and identifications cards carried by Egyptians coming from Turkey on Tuesday, reported the state news agency.
The authorities found other suspicious materials in their suitcases, including black flags with “No God but Allah” printed on them, al-Qaeda badges and medical appliances from Syria.
The case is under investigation.
