14 Jul 2013

Egyptian prosecutors investigating complaints against Morsi

6:24 am on 14 July 2013

The public prosecutor's office in Egypt is investigating complaints against ousted President Mohammed Morsi and senior members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

They include spying, inciting killing protesters, attacking military barracks and damaging the economy.

The BBC reports the prosecutor's office did not say who had filed the complaints.

Mr Morsi was deposed by the army on 3 July. Interim president Adly Mansour, who was installed in his place, has promised new elections early next year.

The prosecutor's office said it was investigating the complaints in order to prepare a file so that those accused could be questioned.

Among those named with Mr Morsi are Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie and senior members of its political wing, the Freedom of Justice Party, including deputy director Essam El-Erian.

Mr Morsi's supporters have been staging mass protests in Cairo, since the army's intervention.

They are demanding his reinstatement as president and say the military's actions amounted to a coup.

The army has suspended the constitution.

Mr Morsi was elected as president just over a year ago. He is being held at an undisclosed location.

The army says it removed him in response to protests by accusations that he was becoming increasingly authoritarian and failing to tackle economic difficulties.