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Egypt Islamists rally ahead of Morsi trial
CAIRO: Islamists held protests on Friday and clashed with police in the Egyptian city of Alexandria ahead of the start of the trial of deposed president Mohamed Morsi.
The pro-Morsi coalition that called for the protests said it would also hold a rally on Monday outside the court where Morsi is expected to appear.
The Coalition, which demands Morsi’s reinstatement, also called for rallies across Egypt starting on Friday. Protesters clashed with police who used tear gas in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, a security official said. Police arrested 60 protesters, the official said. The clashes came a day after police arrested 20 female Islamist activists in Alexandria after they scuffled with bystanders during a protest, another official said.
In the Nile Delta city of Zaqaziq, five people were wounded when pro-Morsi protesters clashed with civilian opponents, the official MENA news agency reported. In Cairo, several hundred Islamists protested outside the main presidential palace as soldiers and police looked on, an AFP correspondent said.
Interior ministry officials say 20,000 policemen will be deployed on Monday to guard the south Cairo academy hosting the trial and to secure Morsi’s transport to the makeshift court room. afp
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