Egypt: Prominent activists charged over protest

Egyptian protesters shout anti-Muslim brotherhood slogans and wave a national flag during a protest against the new judiciary law at the high court in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 3, 2013.(AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

— Twelve of Egypt's best known bloggers and activists are headed for trial on charges of instigating violence during a March demonstration against the president's Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's state prosecutor announced Wednesday.

This was the latest measure by President Mohammed Morsi's government against dissenters, moves that have drawn criticism from human rights groups and foreign governments, including the U.S.

It coincided with an angry protest by writers, artists and intellectuals who stormed the office of the culture minister, chanting, "I am not an infidel, I am an artist. I reject the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood." They vowed not to leave until the minister steps down.

Critics charge that steps taken by the new minister, Alaa Abdel-Aziz, are an attempt to consolidate the Brotherhood's control over the ministry. The minister, who supports the Brotherhood, has fired several senior officials at the ministry.

The referral to trial of the 12 activists and bloggers is seen by critics as part of the government's tactics to stifle dissent ahead of planned mass protests on June 30, calling for Morsi's ouster on the anniversary of his taking office.

The president accuses the opposition of stirring up unrest to undermine his authority, charging loyalists of ousted President Hosni Mubarak with seeking to derail the country's shift to democracy.

The charges against the activists come from a March 22 fight between Morsi's supporters and opponents outside the Brotherhood's headquarters atop Cairo's Muqattam cliff. More than 200 people were injured.


Abdullah did not refer any Brotherhood supporters to trial.


The protests sweeping the country over power outages, fuel and water shortages and perceived changes to Egypt's identity by the Brotherhood, reflect Egypt's deep polarization and worsening economic conditions under Morsi, the country's first freely elected leader.

The March 22 clashes came during spike in political violence in Egypt. Islamists say that the opposition is unable to beat them at the ballot box and has been trying to undercut them through street protests, wrecking the country's stability. In a speech following that demonstration, a visibly angry Morsi shouted and pounded the table, warning his opponents he was on the verge of taking unspecified measures to protect the nation.



