As Islamists opt for hard line, police open fire, more than 30 dead
Cairo (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Clashes between Islamist supporters of Mohamed Morsi and the military continue across the country. At least 30 have been reported dead, and more than a thousand injured, this according to the Health Ministry. With 12 demonstrators killed by firearms, Alexandria tops the list. In the capital, violence continued well into the night with at least eight people killed in violent clashes.
Islamist militants attacked a checkpoint in the Sinai Peninsula yesterday afternoon, killing five police officer and one soldier. One protester was killed in the central city of Assiut. In Qina in the south, troops opened fire on pro-Morsi activists trying to storm a security building. At least two people were injured.
Since huge mass demonstrations on 30 June pushed the military to suspend the constitution and oust President Morsi, Islamists have chosen to respond with the use of force.
Tens of thousands of people gathered in the main cities of the country seeking the reinstatement of the president, elected in June 2012.
Yesterday, the spiritual guide of the Muslim Brotherhood Mohammad Badie called on the group's members to resist the military coup and stay in the streets until Morsi is restored to the presidency.
For its part, Egyptian police continues its crackdown against Islamist leaders accused of inciting jihad against the 23 million Egyptians who had taken to the streets against the Muslim Brotherhood.
After denying al-Badei's arrest, the authorities confirmed that Khairat al-Shater, the Brotherhood's main financier was in custody.
Salafist leader and former presidential candidate Hazem Salah Abu Ismail was also arrested. He is infamous for preaching on TV violence against the country's Christian minority.
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