Security forces closed off Tahrir, Nahda and Rabaa Al-Adaweya squares on Friday morning ahead of demonstrations by supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi, who announced protests under the banner of "no to retaliatory justice". In a statement issued Thursday, the Anti-Coup Alliance, supported by the Muslim Brotherhood and other pro-Morsi groups, blamed the "deep state" for Morsi's ouster, including the judiciary, saying that among "honourable judges" were other ones working against the revolution. The alliance added that it considered Morsi's trial as a "judicial farce" because it violated the constitution and did not seek justice for the Muslim Brotherhood members killed on the same night at Itihadiya presidential palace. The statement by the group went on to call the speedy trial and conviction of 12 Morsi supporters for clashes at Al-Azhar University a "judicial tragedy", adding that no security officers who had allegedly killed protesters were being tried. The statement called on "honourable Egyptians" to protest on Friday in a "million man march saying no to retaliatory justice." On Wednesday Morsi issued a statement through his lawyers saying that "the coup is a crime which violates the Armed Forces' rules," accusing Minister of Defence Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of betraying his people. He also saluted the protests calling for his return saying he "gained strength from the revolutionaries on the streets." The second hearing for the trial of Morsi, who is being detained in Borg Al-Arab Prison, is scheduled for 8 January. The Anti-Coup Alliance has been calling for Friday demonstrations and has also called for protests at universities and on public holidays.
