Egypt prosecutors begin questioning Morsi and “Muslim Brotherhood” members

Investigators began questioning Egypt’s ousted “president” Mohamed Morsi and members of his “Muslim Brotherhood” on Sunday over their involvement in a 2011 prison break, judicial sources said.

The inquiry follows allegations that Morsi and senior “Brotherhood” members escaped from Wadi Natrun prison, according to  Voice of Russia, RIA, Reuters, AFP.

State Security prosecution service investigators interviewed Morsi at an undisclosed location, the judicial sources said.

It came hours after the public prosecutor received complaints against Morsi and other “Brotherhood” leaders, accusing them of spying, inciting violence and damaging the economy.

Morsi, who was overthrown by Egypt’s powerful army on July 3, is being held in a “safe place”, interim leaders have said.

Egypt’s prosecutor’s office announces criminal probe against Morsi

Egypt’s prosecutor’s office has announced the start of a criminal investigation against deposed Mohamed Morsi on charges of espionage, incitement to violence and damage to the state’s economy.

After his arrest on July 3 Morsi has been held at a secret location guarded by units of the national army. However, to date, no charges against him had been made.

In a statement by representatives of the prosecutor’s office, besides Morsi, proceedings will be launched against eight members of the “Muslim Brotherhood”, including the organization’s “Supreme Guide”, Mohammad Badie.

The military says it deposed Morsi in a justified response to popular demand after millions of people demonstrated against him.

Complaints such as those against Morsi are a first step in the criminal process, allowing prosecutors to begin an investigation that can lead to charges. Announcing the step was unusual: typically prosecutors wait until charges are filed.

The prosecutors did not say who had made the complaints. Egyptian law allows them to investigate complaints from police or any member of the public.

Badie and several other “Brotherhood” officials already face charges for inciting violence that were announced earlier this week, but few of them have been arrested.

M.D