Supreme State Security prosecutors have ordered the arrest of 27 defandants to be held for 15 days pending investigation on charges of attacking the Warraq church and attempting to assassinate Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim in Nasr City.
Fifteen defenants denied the accusations during interrogations. The rest would be questioned later, officials said.
Defendant Sayed Ali, 33, denied any link to both incidents saying he was a supporter of toppled President Mohamed Morsy and the police took him from his home.
Ali's lawyer filed a claim accusing the police of torturing Ali to force him to confess to charges.
The National Security Agency's report mentioned that Ali, along with another defendant, used a motorcycle while attacking the Warraq church last Sunday which left five dead, including an eight-year-old girl and two teenagers.
Ali said during interrogations he was at his home with his family when the Warraq incident took place. He first heard of it through the media, he claimed, adding that he does not own a motorcycle and accused the police of damaging his home and robbing him during the arrest.
Ali also also denied any part in the assassination attempt of Mohamed Ibrahim or links to the Sinai-based jihadi group allegedly responsible, Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis.
