Military prosecutors on Monday detained 21 suspects for a 15-day period, pending investigations into violence that broke out during a Coptic protest on Sunday, according to sources at human rights organizations.
Coptic protesters had been marching to decry frequent assaults on their churches when the violence began, leaving 25 dead and more than 300 injured.
The military prosecution charged the suspects – 19 Christians and two Muslims – with damaging military equipment and public property, as well as assaulting army personnel, the sources told DPA.
Several private cars and army vehicles were set on fire during the clashes.
Meanwhile, doubts have been mounting over the number of army soldiers state TV said were killed in the rampage. Authorities have keep mum on the number dead, their identities and dates for their funeral services.
On Monday, press reports said the military prosecution have begun interrogating 25 suspects who were arrested in the events.
The decision to refer the suspects to military prosecution follows a decree on Saturday by the head of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, to halt the prosecution of civilians before military courts, in response to increasing political demands.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
