Muslim Brotherhood, police trade blame for Egypt violence

The Muslim Brotherhood and the Interior Ministry on Tuesday traded blame for deadly clashes between supporters and opponents of ousted President Mohammed Morsi one day earlier. The MB said that thugs and personnel from the interior ministry, which controls Egypt's sprawling police apparatus, had attacked pro-Morsi demonstrators in Giza's Nahda Square on Monday. "The bloody coup leaders are still killing peaceful protesters every day, reflecting the fascist nature of military regimes," the group said in a Tuesday statement. At least seven people were killed in clashes in Nahda Square, where pro-Morsi demonstrators have been camping out for more than three weeks to protest the army's ouster of the elected president. Eyewitnesses said that unknown gunmen had opened fire at a pro-Morsi march en route to Giza Square late Monday in an effort to disperse the crowd and prevent marchers from reaching their destination. Following the attack, Morsi supporters had decided to return to Nahda Square, but were fired upon by unknown gunmen. According to witnesses, the second attack coincided with the advance of six police armored vehicles and a barrage of tear gas inside the original sit-in, while unidentified gunmen fired live ammunition and shotguns loaded with birdshot. Three people were also killed Monday in clashes between Morsi's supporters and opponents in Cairo's Tahrir Square and the Qalioubiya governorate north of Cairo. The MB said that, while the Interior Ministry spoke about protecting peaceful protesters, "it is actually killing them with policemen and hired thugs." The Interior Ministry, for its part, has accused Morsi supporters of resorting to violence. In a Tuesday statement, the ministry said that the pro-Morsi rallies "have involved blocking roads, disrupting traffic and triggering clashes between protesters and residents." "Police have separated the two camps to prevent any escalation and arrested 66 rioters in possession of firearms and bladed weapons," the ministry added. Egypt has been in the grip of political violence since June 30, when mass protests were staged nationwide to demand Morsi's ouster. On July 3, the powerful army deposed the country’s first democratically elected president, suspended the constitution and installed the head of Egypt's constitutional court as interim president. Pro-Morsi demonstrators have since taken to the streets nationwide for mass demonstrations and sit-ins to defend his democratic legitimacy and demand his reinstatement. At least 190 Egyptians have been killed in clashes between Morsi's supporters and opponents since June 30.