Morsi’s youth minister arrested

In the latest high-profile detention from within the ranks of the Muslim Brotherhood, police on Monday morning arrested Osama Yassin, a leading figure in the group who served as youth minister under deposed President Mohamed Morsi.

The prosecution had ordered Yassin’s arrest on charges of murder, attempted murder, inciting murder, disturbing the peace and security and blocking roads.

Local papers cited security sources as saying two other Brotherhood leaders were arrested with Yassin in a New Cairo apartment, including the secretary of Deputy Supreme Guide Khairat al-Shater.

The military-backed government continues to carry out a vast arrest campaign against Brotherhood leaders. Among those in detention are Shater himself and Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie.

The prosecutor general also ordered Monday the detention of preacher Abdallah Badr and Gamel Saber, the former coordinator of Salafi preacher Hazem Salah Abu Ismail’s Hazemoun movement, for 15 days on charges of inciting violence during December presidential palace clashes.

Security forces released Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed al-Beltagy’s son Ammar al-Beltagy Sunday night due to lack of evidence, hours after he was arrested in Beni Suef. Four other Muslim Brotherhood figures who were arrested with him remain in custody in relation to violence that broke out in the governorate. Mohamed al-Beltagy is also wanted on accusations of inciting violence and killings.

State news agency MENA reports that the prosecution referred 62 defendants to criminal court today in relation to allegations of violence perpetrated by Morsi supporters in Alexandria on June 5. Among the defendants are those purportedly shown in a video throwing children off of a building during clashes between pro and anti-Morsi protesters.