The Egyptian state prosecutor has ordered that ousted Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi be held for questioning for 15 days on suspicion of working with Hamas to attack and kill Egyptian security personnel.
The accusations relate to attacks and prison riots in early 2011, during mass protests against the rule of then-President Hosni Mubarak.
Morsi is accused of having coordinated prison breaks in which prisoners and guards were killed. Dozens of members of Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood group escaped jail in the breaks.
Egyptian media outlets have previously reported rumors that Hamas was involved in the attacks. Hamas is a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, having been formed in the 1980s from Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated organizations in Gaza.
Muslim Brotherhood leaders have denied receiving assistance from foreign terrorist groups in the prison break. They say their group was helped by Egyptian citizens.
The state prosecutor’s announcement came as the Egyptian capital prepares for mass rallies following Friday prayers. Protesters are expected to turn out both in support of and against Morsi.
Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Gehad el-Haddad denounced the detention order Friday, saying it signified the return of Mubarak’s regime.