Story highlights
- Interim premier will begin meetings Sunday to form a government by midweek
- Morsy and Muslim Brotherhood leaders are being investigated in alleged killings
- Morsy was ousted from power on July 3 in a military coup
- The State Department has asked that Morsy be released
Egypt's ousted President Mohamed Morsy and several leaders and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood are being investigated on accusations of killing protesters and spying.
The state prosecutor decided to open the investigation after receiving complaints against Morsy and several leaders of his Freedom and Justice Party, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, said Deputy Prosecutor General Adel al-Said.
The complaints say the accused "committed crimes of spying (communicating) with foreign entities with the intent of harming national interest, killing peaceful protestors and incitement thereof, acquiring weapons and explosives, attacking military barracks and harming the safety of the nation, its lands and its unity, as well as causing serious damage to the economy through the use of power an terrorism."
Meanwhile, interim Prime Minister Hazem El-Beblawi will meet with Cabinet nominees Sunday and Monday in an effort to complete formation of a new government by Tuesday or Wednesday, EGYNews said.
The new Cabinet may include nearly 30 ministers, and some members of the previous government would remain in the new administration, according to EGYNews. The new government will also include two deputy prime ministers: one for security affairs and one for economic affairs, according to an El-Beblawi statement reported by EGYNews.
Morsy and his party were ousted in a military coup on July 3.
On Friday, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said she agreed with the German foreign minister's call for Morsy to be released.
Photos: 2013 unrest in Egypt
Photos: 2013 unrest in Egypt
Unrest in Egypt – A bus passes a destroyed pickup truck with loudspeakers that was used by supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy on Friday, August 2. The supporters and security forces clashed in Sixth of October City in Giza, south of Cairo, after the government ordered their protest camps be broken up. Look at the latest violence in Egypt.
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Unrest in Egypt – Morsy supporters walk past makeshift roadblocks at Rabaa al-Adawiya Square in Cairo on Saturday, August 3. Security forces set up the roadblocks outside the square, allowing people to leave but not enter, as they attempt to break up camps set up during ongoing protests over Morsy's ouster.
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Unrest in Egypt – Morsy supporters run among the smoke and fire resulting from clashes with security forces in Sixth of October City in Giza on August 2. The military ousted Morsy, Egypt's first democratically elected president, in early July after days of mass demonstrations. Dozens of Morsy backers angry at Egypt's military-backed government have died in weekend violence in the volatile nation's capital. See photos of protests that have engulfed the country.
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Unrest in Egypt – Egyptian riot police block the entrance to Sixth of October City in Giza on August 2 following clashes with Morsy supporters.
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Unrest in Egypt – Morsy supporters in red helmets march during a protest against the government in Cairo on August 2. Pro-Morsy marches began after Friday prayers, when supporters made their way back to their camp outside the Rabaa al-Adawiya mosque.
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Unrest in Egypt – Morsy supporters march in a demonstration against the Egyptian government in Cairo on August 2.
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Unrest in Egypt – Supporters of Egypt's deposed President Mohammed Morsy gather for prayers at Nasr City, where protesters have installed a camp and hold daily rallies, in Cairo, on Sunday, July 28.
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Unrest in Egypt – A boy wears a tear gas mask as supporters of Egypt's ousted President Mohammed Morsy pray at the camp set up by supporters in the Nasr City area of Cairo on July 28.
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Unrest in Egypt – Doctors treat an injured supporter of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy during clashes with security forces in Cairo on Saturday, July 27.
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Unrest in Egypt – A wounded Morsy supporter lies on the floor of a field hospital in Cairo on July 27. Thousands of Morsy supporters gathered Saturday in the Nasr City neighborhood despite dozens of deaths the night before and veiled threats from the military.
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Unrest in Egypt – Supporters of Morsy protest outside a field hospital in Cairo where the bodies of slain Morsy supporters have been brought July 27.
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Unrest in Egypt – The body of a Muslim Brotherhood protester, reportedly shot dead after violence erupted the night before, is moved as mourners watch inside a field hospital in Cairo on July 27.
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Unrest in Egypt – Two men mourn Morsy supporters who were killed in overnight clashes with security forces, in Cairo, on July 27.
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Unrest in Egypt – A medic pauses at a field hospital in Cairo on July 27 after tending to the bodies of Morsy supporters reportedly killed in fighting.
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Unrest in Egypt – Supporters of Morsy carry an injured man to a field hospital amid clashes with security forces in Cairo on July 27.
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Unrest in Egypt – Doctors treat a Morsy supporter injured during clashes with security forces in Cairo on July 27.
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Unrest in Egypt – Supporters of Morsy rally in Giza, on Friday, July 26.
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Unrest in Egypt – Supporters of the Egyptian military rally at Tahrir Square in Cairo on Friday, July 26.
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Unrest in Egypt – Morsy opponents rally in Cairo on July 26.
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Unrest in Egypt – Morsy opponents watch a demonstration from a rooftop near Tahrir Square in Cairo on July 26.
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Unrest in Egypt – Egyptian soldiers stand guard atop an armored vehicle on a bridge leading to Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday, July 26.
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Unrest in Egypt – A Morsy advocate builds a giant portrait of the deposed president Thursday, July 25, while other supporters hold a sit-in outside a Cairo mosque. The military has detained Morsy while an interim government takes shape.
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Unrest in Egypt – Morsy supporters say evening prayers during a rally July 25 outside a Cairo mosque.
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Unrest in Egypt – A man with a pistol and other Morsy opponents detain a suspected Morsy supporter who was wounded during clashes in Cairo on Monday, July 22. Supporters and opponents clashed near the city's Tahrir Square.
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Unrest in Egypt – Men evacuate an injured opponent of Morsy during clashes with his supporters in Cairo on July 22.
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Unrest in Egypt – A man fires a gun during clashes between opponents and supporters of Morsy in Cairo on July 22.
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Unrest in Egypt – A riot police officer aims rubber bullets toward Morsy supporters in Cairo on July 22.
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Unrest in Egypt – Riot police evacuate an injured anti-Morsy protester in Cairo on July 22.
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Unrest in Egypt – A Morsy supporter, center, who was allegedly beaten by opponents of Morsy runs during clashes in Cairo on July 22.
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Unrest in Egypt – A Morsy opponent carries his injured friend in Cairo on July 22.
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Photos: Unrest in Egypt – Supporters of Morsy pause for Friday prayers on July 19 at Nasr City in Cairo, where protesters have installed their camp and held daily rallies.
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Photos: Unrest in Egypt – Morsy supporters take part in a protest march near government ministry buildings on Wednesday, July 17, in Cairo.
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Photos: Unrest in Egypt – A Morsy supporter is held back by riot police during a rally near Tahrir Square on July 17.
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Unrest in Egypt – A supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood and of Morsy covers his mouth under the 6th October Bridge in Cairo on Tuesday, July 16.
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Unrest in Egypt – A riot police officer fires tear gas toward Morsy supporters during clashes in Cairo on Monday, July 15.
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Unrest in Egypt – Morsy supporters run from tear gas in Cairo on July 15.
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Unrest in Egypt – Egyptians in Cairo's Tahrir Square pray before breaking their fast on the third day of Ramadan, the sacred holy month for Muslims, on Friday, July 12.
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Unrest in Egypt – Supporters of the deposed Morsy rally in Nasr City, Egypt, a suburb of Cairo, on Monday, July 8.
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Unrest in Egypt – A man reacts after seeing the body of a family member at the Liltaqmeen al-Sahy Hospital in Cairo, allegedly killed during a sit-in supporting Morsy in front of the Republican Guard headquarters on July 8.
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Unrest in Egypt – Injured men receive medical attention after clashes between supporters of Morsy and security forces in Cairo on July 8.
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Unrest in Egypt – Opponents of Mohamed Morsy gather at Tahrir Square during a protest in Cairo on Sunday, July 7.
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Unrest in Egypt – Supporters of Morsy pray next to the headquarters of the Republican Guards in Cairo on Saturday, July 6, during the funeral of seven people killed during clashes.
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Unrest in Egypt – People carry coffins on July 6 of two Morsy opponents who were killed during clashes in Cairo.
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Unrest in Egypt – A Morsy supporter joins protests near the University of Cairo in Giza on July 6.
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Unrest in Egypt – Supporters and opponents of Morsy clash in Cairo on Friday, July 5.
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Unrest in Egypt – A protester is attended to in Cairo's Tahrir Square during fighting between the pro- and anti-Morsy crowds on July 5.
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Unrest in Egypt – An Egyptian military helicopter hovers over supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and deposed President Mohamed Morsy in Cairo on July 5.
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Unrest in Egypt – Morsy supporters hold up their bloodstained hands after Egypt's armed forces opened fire on rally in front of the Republican Guard headquarters in Cairo on July 5.
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Unrest in Egypt – Morsy supporters carry a man who was shot during clashes next to the Republican Guard headquarters in Cairo on July 5. State broadcaster Nile TV said a number of those backing the deposed leader were wounded as they tried to storm the headquarters, where Morsy reportedly was being held.
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Unrest in Egypt – A wounded man is helped following the gun battle outside the headquarters of the Republican Guard on July 5.
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Unrest in Egypt – Egyptians hold portraits of Gen. Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi reading "Come down, Sisi" as they gather in Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square on July 5.
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Unrest in Egypt – Morsy supporters react to an explosion during clashes with police officers on July 5 outside Cairo University in Giza.
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Unrest in Egypt – Egyptian Army soldiers stand guard at the Cairo headquarters of the Republican Guard on July 5 as an Apache attack helicopter flies overhead.
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Unrest in Egypt – Morsy supporters pray near the University of Cairo in Giza on July 5.
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Unrest in Egypt – A man prays on July 5 before the protest near the University of Cairo.
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Unrest in Egypt – Protesters take cover from tear gas during clashes outside the headquarters of the Republican Guard in Cairo on July 5.
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Unrest in Egypt – A military helicopter flies by Egypt's Presidential Palace in Cairo on July 5.
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Unrest in Egypt – Egyptians watch fireworks in Tahrir Square on Thursday, July 4, the day after Morsy's ouster.
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Unrest in Egypt – People dance and cheer in the streets of Cairo on July 4.
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Unrest in Egypt – A Morsy supporter holds a poster of the deposed president during a July 4 rally in Nasr City.
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Unrest in Egypt – A massive crowd gathers in Tahrir Square on July 4.
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Unrest in Egypt – Egyptians cheer and wave national flags as airplanes fly above Tahrir Square on July 4, leaving a trail of smoke in the colors of the national flag.
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Unrest in Egypt – A woman uses a mobile phone to record the July 4 celebrations in Tahrir Square.
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Unrest in Egypt – An opposition protester chants slogans against Morsy near Cairo University, where Muslim Brotherhood supporters gathered on July 4 to show support for the ousted president.
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Unrest in Egypt – A man holds a newspaper near Mesaha Square in Cairo on July 4.
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Unrest in Egypt – Dejected Morsy supporters attend a rally in Nasr City on July 4.
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Unrest in Egypt – A Morsy supporter shows his bloodied shirt during a July 4 rally near the University of Cairo.
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Unrest in Egypt – A young Egyptian boy shoots off fireworks during celebrations in Tahrir Square on July 4.
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Unrest in Egypt – People walk by a pile of Egyptian flags for sale in Tahrir Square on July 4.
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Unrest in Egypt – Crowds throng Tahrir Square on July 4.
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Unrest in Egypt – Egyptian soldiers deploy near Cairo University on July 4.
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Unrest in Egypt – People dance and cheer at Tahrir Square in Cairo on July 4.
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Unrest in Egypt – Adly Mansour, center, stands after delivering a speech during his swearing-in ceremony as Egypt's interim president in the Supreme Constitutional Court in Cairo on July 4. Mansour has served as the head of the country's Supreme Constitutional Court.
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Unrest in Egypt – Armored vehicles with the Egyptian army sit at a checkpoint in the Cairo district of Nasr City on July 4.
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Unrest in Egypt – A Morsy supporter reacts as a military helicopter flies over during a July 4 rally in Nasr City.
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Unrest in Egypt – A boy with face paint the color of the Egyptian flag pauses on July 4 in Tahrir Square.
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Unrest in Egypt – A pedestrian shakes hands with a member of the military at a roadblock in Giza.
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Unrest in Egypt – Security personnel rest on July 4 in Tahrir Square.
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Unrest in Egypt – A man walks to Tahrir Square on July 4.
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Unrest in Egypt – A family sleeps on a bridge near Tahrir Square on July 4.
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Unrest in Egypt – A member of the Egyptian military redirects traffic on July 4 at a roadblock in Giza.
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Unrest in Egypt – Bread is sold near Tahrir Square on July 4.
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Unrest in Egypt – An Egyptian military member guards a roadblock in Giza on July 4.
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When is a coup not a coup? 07:35
Photojournalist captured his own death 02:36
Psaki said the detentions of Morsy and members of the Muslim Brotherhood were "politically motivated" and urged the military to let them go.
Asked whether the United States would recognize Morsy as president, she said, "It is, of course, up to the Egyptian people, as we've said a number of times, to determine their future and the path forward. We are working with the interim government, and we -- and I can also confirm for you that Ambassador Patterson has met with the interim president, as well."
Anne Patterson is the U.S. ambassador to Egypt.
Though Morsy was elected president a year ago, Psaki said, "it's about more than what happens at the ballot box. Most democratic transitions take years to take root and stabilize, especially following decades of autocratic rule. And what we're focused on now is continuing to encourage that process to move forward by including all sides."
Asked about the administration's failure to describe the ouster as a coup, Psaki said, "We have not defined it yet. We are taking the time to evaluate and continue to do that."
Identifying Morsy's forced removal from office by the military as a coup could require the United States to suspend its $1.3 billion in annual military aid to the country, which has been a strong U.S. ally in the Middle East.
Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, has called for such a move.
The tens of thousands of people who had rallied Friday in front of a Cairo mosque calling not only for Morsy's release but for his restoration to the job of president had thinned Saturday as supporters erected tents and appeared to be settling in for a long stay.
Fifty-one people died there Monday when protesters clashed with security forces who opened fire.
Many of Morsy's supporters have vowed to risk their lives to see him back in power.
Those backing his overthrow have been unpersuaded.
A Pentagon source said Thursday that the White House planned to deliver four F-16 fighters to Egypt but was reviewing its military aid arrangements.
