Egypt

Former supreme guide detained, FJP chief released on bail

Prosecutors have ordered the detention of former Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Mahdi Akef for four days.

Tharwat Hammad, head of the investigation committee overseen by the justice minister, on Sunday ordered Akef be detained for four days.

Freedom and Justice Party chief Mohamed Saad al-Katatny would also be released on LE5,000 bail, pending investigations into accusations he insulted Egypt's judiciary.

Akef initially denied accusations, submitted in the form of complaints to prosecutors by several judges and advisers, he had insulted the judiciary.

However he later appeared to admit to them, saying: "I was surprised to see that what I said was printed in the Kuwaiti Al-Jarida newspaper without my permission.”

Akef allegedly told the newspaper that judges in Egypt are corrupt, and that the first law the new House of Representatives would issue would dismiss some 3,500 judges from office.

When Katatny was also confronted with complaints by 10 advisers about remarks made during broadcasts on satellite channels and inside parliament, he denied the accusations.

“I did not mean to insult the judiciary,” he said. “I respect all judges.”

Both defendants are also accused of inciting the killing of demonstrators outside the Brotherhood’s Guidance Bureau in Moqattam.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

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