(AFP Photo)
By Fatma Khaled
The Prosecutor General’s office announced its official account of the Nasr Road clashes in a report that was obtained by state-run Al-Ahram on Sunday.
The report stated that clashes started when a group of pro-Morsi protesters attempted to block the 6 October Bridge on Nasr Road, which prompted a reaction from the security forces, as well as local residents, reported Al-Ahram.
The prosecution said protesters then moved to Nasr Road, removed stones from pavements to build walls, set the nearby conference halls on fire and damaged public and private property.
The report stated that more than 222 were wounded, 87 of whom gave testimonies to the prosecutor general’s office. Also, investigators found bullet shells at the scene of the clashes.
The prosecutor general’s office concluded that although it could not continue its investigation due to potential attacks on residents, it would continue to pursue suspects in the case.
In a press conference on Sunday Minister of Health Maha Rabat announced an updated official death toll for the clashes: at least 80 (39 of which were transferred from Rabaa’s field hospital) with 299 injured.
Prosecutor General Hisham Barakat has ordered the arrest and detention of 72 of Rabaa protesters for 15 days, pending investigation.
Charges against them include blocking the road, attempted murder, illegal possession of weapons and destroying both public and private property.
Barakat also ordered the arrest of Safwat Hegazy, a Muslim Brotherhood figure, for allegedly inciting violence that ignited the clashes.
Hegazy has multiple warrants pending against him, most recently for incitement before the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi.
The clashes followed a lengthy sit-in supporting the ousted former president, with many calling for his return to office. The armed forces as well as Morsi loyalists deny responsibility for starting the clashes, and claim they only responded to attacks from the other side.
