Racial Protests, Possible Civil Rights Charges in Zimmerman Case

July 27, 2013

Opponents of Egypt's ousted President Mohammed Morsi chant slogans during a protest by the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, July 26, 2013.

From VOA Learning English, this is In The News.

An Egyptian judge this week ordered the continued detention of ousted President Mohamed Morsi. The official MENA news agency says Mr. Morsi has been detained for 15 days for investigation of suspected links to the Palestinian militant group Hamas. He is accused of working with Hamas to attack police stations two years ago during the rebellion that ousted then-president Hosni Mubarak.

Mr. Morsi has been held without charge since July 3rd, when he was removed by Egypt’s military. The court order came as his supporters and opponents held competing protests on Friday.

Many Egyptians have been killed in political violence in recent weeks. On Wednesday, the United States announced it was delaying a planned shipment of four F-16 fighter jets to Egypt. Defense Department spokesman George Little noted what he called the “fluid situation” in the country.

“Given the current situation in Egypt, we do not believe it is appropriate to move forward at this time with the delivery of F-16s.”

Some American lawmakers have been calling for a suspension of American aid to Egypt. The calls began after the removal of Mr. Morsi, who was the country’s first democratically elected president.