Egyptian gov't denies arresting Brotherhood leaders

Published August 15th, 2013 - 06:22 GMT
 supporter of Egypt's ousted president Mohamed Morsi walks through the debris following clashes with police in Cairo on August 14, 2013. (AFP)
supporter of Egypt's ousted president Mohamed Morsi walks through the debris following clashes with police in Cairo on August 14, 2013. (AFP)

Egypt’s Minister of Interior Mohamed Ibrahim has denied reports saying that some influential Muslim Brotherhood leaders were arrested in the wake of Wednesday’s violence after police cleared two pro-Morsi sit-ins in Cairo and Giza.

“Those claims are totally untrue. I hope that I will be able to capture them,” Ibrahim told a news conference on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, a security source told Ahram Online that eight Brotherhood leaders had been detained during the dispersal operation before escaping “with the help of other people.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Influential Brotherhood figures Mohamed Al Beltagui and Essam Al Erian and Islamic preacher Safwat Hegazy were reportedly among the detained – all wanted by Egypt prosecutors to answer to allegations of inciting violence.

 

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