Investigation launched into Tahrir Square clashes

Egypt's prosecutor investigates Friday Tahrir clashes An investigation into the clashes of Tahrir Square last Friday has been ordered by Egypt's public prosecutor. Fifty-three complaints will be looked into. The complaints accuse  Freedom and Justice Party Head Essam al-Erian, pro-Muslim Brotherhood preacher Safwat Hegazi, Mohammed al-Beltagy and other leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood of encouraging their supporters to use violence against peaceful demonstrators, leading to clashes, injuries and destruction of property.
"Prosecutors immediately asked the hospitals and the Department of Forensic Medicine to report the types and causes of  injuries," said public prosecution spokesperson Adel al-Saeed a in a press release. "We are also hearing testimonies from eyewitnesses."
"We have so far found out that the perpetrators used shotguns and bladed weapons to injure some 147 people," Saeed added. "Some were shot in the eye, others suffered skull fractures or bruises."
"Already three suspects have been arrested and detained pending further investigation," he said.
The public prosecutor has also officially requested the General Intelligence Services, the Military Intelligence and the Interior Ministry to submit footage from CCTV cameras around the Egyptian Museum and Tahrir Square.
The clashes took place during a demonstration that had mainly been called for by liberal and leftist political groups to criticise President Mohammed Morsi's performance in his first 100 days. Liberal leaders claim that the Muslim Brotherhood and the Freedom and Justice Party called for their own protest against the general prosecutor in order to disrupt the planned demonstrations.
Chairman of the Judges' Club also announced the club will be suing Brotherhood leaders including Erian and Beltagy, accusing them of insulting the general prosecutor and Egypt's judges in general.
President Mohammed Morsi issued a decree on Saturday to relieve Egypt's general prosecutor Abdel Maguid Mahmoud from his position to become Egypt's ambassador to Vatican. Later in the day, Mahmoud officially turned down the decision and announced he would be staying in office. The controversy led to the eruption of political tension between the Brotherhood, to whom the president affiliates, and their opponents.