The Suez military prosecution detained nine supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi on Sunday for 15 days pending investigation.
The detainees included Al-Jamaa Al-Islamiya leading figure in Suez, Fawzy Al-Kordy and Salafi leader Mustafa Houras, state-run MENA reported.
The detainees were charged with inciting the burning of Al-Ra’ei Al-Saleh Church and the Latin Church in Suez, as well as inciting the torching of military armoured vehicles. They were also accused of contributing to the shooting on protesters and armed forces in Suez.
The army spokesman’s media office stated that nobody is referred to military prosecution unless they committed a crime against the armed forces. It added that even those arrested for breaking the curfew are referred to civilian prosecution unless they committed a crime which concerns the armed forces.
Article 19 of the constitutional declaration issued by interim president Adly Mansour, after the 2012 constitution was stalled, states that military judiciary specialises in all lawsuits which concern the armed forces.
Mohamed Hassaan, Al-Jamaa Al-Islamiya spokesman, said Al-Kordy is a businessman who does not have the time to take part in protests or activities. Hassaan claimed Al-Kordy was accused of funding the pro-Mohamed Morsi sit-in.
“The only beneficiary from the burning of churches is the state,” Hassaan argued. “It gives them an excuse to justify the crackdown and the killing of protesters.”
Hassaan claimed Morsi supporters are famous for protecting churches and police stations. He accused the authorities of planting people to attack churches to convince the international community that the state is facing terrorism and to get Copts on their side.
Churches across the country continue to be attacked as protests calling for the return of Morsi ensue, many times occurring in the absence of police forces to secure the buildings and the stores and homes of local Christians.
Attacks on churches became alarmingly frequent on Wednesday, following the forcible dispersal of the Al-Nahda and Rabaa Al-Adaweya pro-Morsi sit-ins.
Additional reporting by Fady Ashraf
