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 Mohammed Morsi.
The pro-Morsi coalition that called for the protests said it would
also hold a rally on Monday outside the court where the Islamist leader 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.
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.
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.
"The mass rally on Monday... should be outside the [Police
Officers' Academy] building in Tora," the Anti-Coup Coalition, which is
led by Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, said in a statement.
Police crackdown
Morsi, held at a secret location since the military overthrew him
on 3 July, is charged with inciting the murder of protesters outside the
presidential palace in December 2012.
He is to be tried along with 14 other defendants.
The Islamist's supporters have been battered by a police crackdown
since his ouster. About 1 000 people have been killed in clashes and more than
2 000 arrested.
The campaign of arrests of Islamists has left much of their
leadership in jail and restricted their ability to organise mass protests.
The Anti-Coup Coalition says it believes in peaceful protest, but
it has not shied away from confronting the police.
On 6 October, almost 60 people were killed in clashes when
Islamists tried to march on Cairo's Tahrir Square, while the military and its
supporters commemorated the 1973 war with Israel.
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