Morsi: I was kidnapped before removed by army
Print Edition
Deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi said yesterday that he was kidnapped by the Republican Guard the day before the army announced his removal and was later held at a naval base for four months.
Few details had previously emerged on Morsi’s whereabouts since army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi overthrew him and announced plans for elections.
Lawyer Mohammed Damati read on television what he said was a letter from the Islamist leader, who is still being detained, to the Egyptian people.
For the first time, Morsi indicated he was held against his will as early as July 2, a day before the army announced his removal following mass protests against his rule.
“The kind Egyptian people should know that I have been kidnapped forcibly and against my will since July 2 and until July 5 in a Republican Guard house until I and my aide were moved again forcibly to a naval base belonging to the armed forces for four full months,” Morsi said in the letter.
The Republican Guard is an elite military unit that protects the presidential palace and other government sites.
Morsi and other Islamists appeared in court on November 4 on charges of inciting violence in connection with the death of about a dozen protesters at the presidential palace last December. Most were members of Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood.
“Egypt will not recover until everything that happened due to this coup goes away ... and the holding to account those who spilled blood everywhere on the nation’s land,” Morsi said. “I salute the Egyptian people who rose up against this coup, which will fall by the power of the Egyptian people in their jihad for the sake of their rights and freedoms.”
Security forces have mounted a crackdown against the Brotherhood, which won every election held since a popular uprising toppled Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Hundreds have been killed and thousands arrested, including the group’s leaders. A court has banned the organization.
Morsi refused to recognise the court that is trying him at a police academy — the same site where Mubarak is on trial on similar charges.
If convicted, Morsi could face a life sentence or the death penalty.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
