Egyptian security forces have opened fire on supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi in Cairo, killing three people.
The incident occurred as crowds gathered outside the officers’ club of the Presidential Guard, where Morsi is believed to be held.
The Muslim Brotherhood has been demanding his reinstatement.
The army, which removed Morsi in response to widespread unrest, had deployed troops around Cairo.
The BBC’s Jeremy Bowen at the scene says that after passionate Friday Prayers at the nearby Rabaa al-Adawiya Mosque, about 2,000 Morsi supporters marched towards the officers’ club.
Soldiers there warned people not to cross the road. But as the crowd grew, got angrier and pushed forward, the troops opened fire – first into the air, then at the protesters.
Our correspondent says he saw one man fall to the ground with blood on his clothes.
Morsi’s removal followed days of mass protests, largely organised by the Tamarod [Rebel] movement.
The protesters accused Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood – to which he belongs – of pursuing an Islamist agenda against the wishes of the majority, and of failing to tackle economic problems.
Morsi, Egypt’s first freely elected leader, is in detention, as are senior figures in the Brotherhood. Arrests warrants have been issued for some 300 others.
Ahead of Friday’s rallies by Morsi supporters, the army command said it would not take “arbitrary measures against any faction or political current” and would guarantee the right to protest, as long as demonstrations did not threaten national security.
“Peaceful protest and freedom of expression are rights guaranteed to everyone, which Egyptians have earned as one of the most important gains of their glorious revolution,” it said.
But Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Gehad al-Haddad said the movement was refusing to co-operate with the new leadership and demanded the immediate release of those detained.
Source: Source: The Daily Star
