A decision as to the fate of 23 suspects who remain in detention in connection with the recent Omraniya church riots has been postponed until Thursday by the South Giza Prosecution, who said the reason for the delay was procedural.
The suspects were brought to the prosecution headquarters from Tora prison where they are being held. Security forces drew a tight security cordon around the area.
Security personnel prevented the suspects’ families from accessing the building or gathering near it. Judicial sources said the suspects will be summoned on Thursday to determine whether they will be released or whether their detention will be extended for a second time.
Attorney General Abdel Meguid Mahmoud previously ordered that the 135 defendants in the Omraniya case be released in three stages in consideration of their social circumstances.
Judicial sources told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the remaining 23 defendants will be released on Thursday to allow them to spend the Christmas holiday with their families.
After a decision to halt construction work on a church was issued, the Giza Security Directorate arrested Coptic protesters on charges of rioting and assaulting police officers in Omraniya, Giza. Authorities said the church lacked the requisite building permits.
Violent clashes broke out on 25 November between security forces and Coptic protesters, leaving two protesters dead and dozens injured on both sides.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
