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(Image source: Al Jazeera)
BY JOHN O'CONNOR
Egyptian authorities have ordered former President Mohamed Morsi be imprisoned for 15 days pending
an investigation into charges that the deposed leader committed espionage.
An investigating judge accuses Morsi of conspiring with the Palestinian group Hamas during a
2011 jailbreak operation which freed dozens of Muslim Brotherhood leaders, including Morsi
himself. (Via CNN)
In 2011, Morsi and more than 30 other Muslim Brotherhood leaders were being held at the
Wadi el-Natrun prison in North Cairo for their participation in the uprising against then-leader
Hosni Mubarak.
According to The New York Times, Egyptian authorities now say Morsi orchestrated the
operation with Hamas, and " ... carried out 'aggressive acts in the country,' attacking
police establishments and killing and kidnapping police officers and soldiers."
Hamas is labeled by numerous countries, including the U.S., as a terrorist organization — but
they are the officially elected authority in the Gaza Strip, which neighbors Egypt.
(Via Press TV)
A Sky News correspondent explains Hamas' reaction to the accusations leveled against them and
Morsi.
"They're effectively saying: 'well hang on, the Egyptian army seems to be labeling us
terrorists.' And the Muslim Brotherhood supporters here in Egypt, the pro-Morsi supporters, say
this is all part of smear campaign."
In an an unprecedented move Wednesday, Egypt's military leader — General Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi
— urged all Egyptians to take to the streets Friday and grant the army approval to confront
what he claims is terrorism. (Via Al Jazeera)
The move has pro-Morsi supporters fearing a military crackdown against their demonstrations.
A BBC analyst says bringing these charges against Morsi now raises suspicions that all
of the military's actions in the recent uprising have been politically motivated.
"The question is, why didn't they charge him even before becoming a president? This is
a very serious charge, he's accused of espionage."
Egyptian officials say Morsi has already been interrogated at least once about the jailbreak.
His detention can be extended past the initial 15 day detainment as the investigation moves
forward.