Public prosecutors in Upper Egypt ordered the arrest of six suspects Wednesday who were allegedly involved in riots late Saturday in the Sohag Governorate city of Gerga.
Judicial sources told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the suspects are accused of murder, attempted murder, possessing unlicensed weapons, and damaging and stealing public and private property. They are being detained for 15 days pending investigations.
The riots broke out Saturday among residents of the Nagaa Eweis suburb of the city and Gerga residents after a tok-tok driver crashed his vehicle into a store. The accident did not result in any deaths, but the subsequent fighting left at least three dead and dozens injured, although reports of injuries varied widely.
Chaos ensued over several days with residents breaking into police stations and looting stores.
A security source said 12 people were arrested, including one who allegedly launched Molotov cocktails from a roof.
A security committee formed by Interior Minister Mansour al-Essawy to investigate the violence alleged that residents stole weapons and ammunition when they broke into the local police station.
Security authorities in Sohag have reportedly recovered 260 weapons.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
