Clashes have erupted in front of the High Court building in Cairo after security forces prevented prosecutors from entering the building.
About 600 prosecutors are protesting to demand Prosecutor General Talaat Abdallah’s dismissal in light of what they say are his attempts to influence prosecutors investigating the Ettehadiya Palace clashes earlier this month.
Meanwhile, prosecutors in Assiut decided to suspend work Monday in order to increase pressure against Abdallah, who they say is interfering in the Public Prosecution’s affairs for political ends.
Assiut prosecutors also announced they would participate in a High Court sit-in scheduled for Tuesday.
North Assiut Attorney General Mohamed Hossam said that appointing Abdallah as the prosecutor general is a violation of both the 1971 Constitution and the new draft constitution now under referendum. Both constitutions state that the Supreme Judicial Council nominates three candidates for prosecutor general, one of whom is chosen by the president.