An Egyptian court on Monday ordered the release of 84 supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi, who were detained on charges linked to a standoff between security forces and pro-democracy demonstrators at downtown Cairo's Fath Mosque.
Hundreds of pro-Morsi demonstrators had taken refuge inside the mosque on August 16 to avoid deadly attacks on them by security forces in the Ramses Square.
They are accused of resisting authorities, assaults, possession of firearms, thuggery and attempted murder.
But the court ordered them released pending investigation into the charges.
In recent weeks, Egypt has arrested vast numbers of Muslim Brotherhood leaders and members, who the army-backed authorities accuse of inciting violence, attacking security personnel and torching churches.
The Brotherhood, from which Morsi hails, vehemently denies the charges, insisting they are politically motivated.
The Brotherhood also charges authorities with waging an unlawful crackdown on the group and its allies and intentionally killing hundreds of unarmed demonstrators in five months since the July 3 ouster of the democratically elected Morsi.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
