The Qasr al-Nil Prosecution decided Sunday to detain 30 suspects, including an American and a Syrian, for four days pending investigations into what it called rioting that erupted Friday at Abdel Moneim Riad Square.
The prosecution also decided to release nine suspects on LE1,000 bail. It charged the suspects with attacking public and private establishments, “thuggery,” and assaulting on-duty police and civil service workers.
Among the released suspects was visual artist Magdy al-Shafie, whom police arrested during the clashes. He was accused of possessing weapons, attacking police and harming public establishments.
The prosecution ordered his arrest Sunday for four days pending investigation.
Members of the group Artists and Writers for Change protested Shafie’s arrest Sunday at 5 pm at the Journalists Syndicate.
Shafie’s graphic novel, “Metro,” was written under former President Hosni Mubarak’s rule. But authorities confiscated the book and referred Shafie to trial for using what they deemed inappropriate words in the text.
Protesters had demonstrated at the High Court Friday against the Muslim Brotherhood and President Mohamed Morsy. Clashes then broke out between Brotherhood supporters and opposition activists, leaving dozens injured.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
