(AFP Photo)
The Central Cairo prosecution office appealed on Tuesday the Abdeen Court’s order to release 30 detainees arrested following Friday clashes by the High Court building.
Police originally arrested 39 people, including a Syrian and an American, after clashes marred the “purging of the judiciary” protests held by the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist groups. Two of the detainees were minors and were therefore released and seven were released on bail.
The remaining 30 were kept on remand for four days but the court rejected the prosecution’s request to extend their detention on Tuesday and ordered their release. They face charges of rioting, blocking the road, and attacking security forces.
The defendants denied all charges and told the court that police arrested them randomly.
The detainees will not be released, however, due to the prosecution’s appeal. Instead, they will remain in custody unless the court rejects the appeal. If the court accepts the prosecution’s appeal their detention will be renewed for a further 15 days.
Fighting began on Friday on Ramses Street during a Muslim Brotherhood-led protest at the High Court building as a bus on its way to the demonstration was attacked and burned by assailants.
Both sides exchanged birdshot, flares and rocks until Central Security Forces intervened, using teargas against those who had been fighting against supporters of President Mohamed Morsi.
Additional reporting by Basil El-Dabh
