Egypt's Interior Ministry has vowed to protect supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsy, as pressure begins to mount on two sit-ins in Cairo demanding Morsy be reinstated as president.
The ministry said it was committed to protecting pro-Morsy protesters in Rabea al-Adaweya and al-Nahda Square.
“The ministry is aware that a large number of protesters want to return to their homes," ministry spokesperson Major General Hany Abdel Latif claimed on Saturday, but cited "fear of prosecution or threats from the organizers of the sit-ins" stopping them from doing so.
“We stress our commitment to protecting [protesters] and ensure their safety, since continuing rallies exposes them to legal accountability for getting involved in many acts criminalized by the law,” he added.
The ministry statement accused organizers of both sit-ins of a litany of abuses, including “murders, torture, kidnapping, the possession of weapons, blocking roads, inciting violence and hatred, contempt of religion, the demolition of state institutions, damaging the sovereignty and national interests, and endangering the lives of residents and violating their rights."
The statement said that the "safe exit" of protesters from both sides would allow the Muslim Brotherhood to "return to its role within the political process."
Information Minister Doria Sharaf Eddin had announced on Wednesday that the government was preparing "necessary measures" to address risks arising from Rabea al-Adaweya and al-Nahda Square.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
