Post date: Jul 13, 2013 9:33:55 PM
Supporters of Mohamed Mursi, holding a vigil demanding his reinstatement as Egyptian president, reject as illegitimate a criminal investigation into the ousted leader.
CAIRO, EGYPT (JULY 13, 2013) (REUTERS) - Thousands of supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi continued on Saturday night (July 13) their vigil for his reinstatement, and they rejected as illegitimate the announcement of a criminal investigation against him.
Earlier on Saturday state prosecutors said they were examining complaints of spying, inciting violence and ruining the economy against the deposed Islamist leader.Mursi's supporters have held an open ended protest at the Raba'a al-Adawiya mosque since the former senior Muslim Brotherhood leader was removed from office on July 3 by the army following mass protests against him.
He has been held at an undisclosed location ever since but has not yet been charged with any crime. In recent days Washington has called for him to be freed and for the authorities to stop arresting leaders of his Muslim Brotherhood.
The public prosecutor's office said in a statement it had received complaints against Mursi, eight other named Islamist figures including the Brotherhood's leader,Mohamed Badie, and others it did not identify.
Mursi's supporters have continued their protest despite the start of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn until dusk.
Well known Islamist leader Safwat Hegazy said that it is those who overthrew the elected leader who should be charged rather than Mursi.
"Of course anything said by the dictators and the junta and the traitors who betrayed the people and betrayed their promises, and who betrayed the revolution, is not a surprise at all. And these people are the ones who should be put on trial for the crime of high treason. Dr. Mursi is amongst the most honourable people inEgypt and one of the most honourable people to have ruled Egypt," he said.
The military says it deposed Mursi in a justified response to popular demand after millions of people demonstrated against him. The Brotherhood says it was a coup that reversed democracy.
Complaints such as those against Mursi are a first step in the criminal process, allowing prosecutors to begin an investigation that can lead to charges
The prosecutors did not say who had made the complaints. Egyptian law allows them to investigate complaints from police or any member of the public.
Egyptian actor Wagdi al Araby said that it was pointless for the authorities to target Mursi or other Muslim Brotherhood leaders.
"The people who are raising these accusations, in order to get rid of everything to do with Dr. Mursi completely… I would say if Dr. Mursi disappeared, well the country is millions of Mursis. The issue is not about Mursi. The issue is building a state of rights and justice," he said.
Violence has claimed at least 90 lives in the aftermath of Mursi's toppling, with 53 Mursi supporters killed by the army outside a barracks where they believed he was being held.
The Brotherhood, has said it will not leave the streets until he is restored to power.