Former Deputy Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood Mohamed Habib said President Mohamed Morsy should be brought to trial for deaths of protesters over the past few days.
“As long as we were able to bring Mubarak to trial, it’s necessary then to bring the military council for trial for the victims who were killed under its rule, and hence Mohamed Morsy should be brought to trial for the […] victims who were [recently] killed,” Habib said during a talk show aired on the satellite TV channel MBC Masr on Saturday.
Violence between police and protesters calling for civil disobedience against Morsy’s rule have been sweeping the nation, leading to a number of casualties. Over 40 people were killed in Port Said and Suez during clashes that began at the end of January, while in Port Said an ongoing “civil disobedience” campaign has entered its third week.
The protests and clashes started after a court sentenced 21 defendants to death over their role in the murders of 72 Ahly Club fans after a match in Port Said in February 2012. On Sunday, a court reaffirmed the death sentences and sentenced five more defendants to life in prison, while acquitting another 28.
The Sunday rulings reignited anger among both Ultras Ahlawy members in Cairo and defendants’ supporters in Port Said. Clashes between protesters and police rocked Cairo’s Tahrir Square, with protesters accusing the Interior Ministry of using live ammunition against protesters.
The police have denied using live ammunition, saying they were only armed with tear gas and sound bombs.
