Update: Death toll rises to 3 in Friday clashes

Deadly clashes broke out across the country on Friday during protests that are part of week-long demonstrations organized by the National Alliance to Protect Legitimacy.

The group called for protests against what it calls the “void referendum” on the draft constitution scheduled for January 14 and 15.

Two people were killed and eight injured in Suez pursuant to violent clashes when security forces faced off against Brotherhood supporters demonstrating there, the state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram reported.

An Alexandria resident was shot to death on Friday afternoon during violent confrontations between security forces and Muslim Brotherhood supporters, according to Al-Ahram.

The victim was allegedly shot by Brotherhood-affiliated protesters who began firing live ammunition after being assaulted by local residents, Al-Ahram reported.

However, the official website of the Brotherhood’s political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party, claimed the victim was a bystander who was accidentally shot by police forces as they aimed fire at the protesters.

Security forces reportedly dispersed Brotherhood protests around Cairo with tear gas after clashes broke out in Nasr City, Shubra, Omraneya, Imbaba and Zeitoun, where protesters allegedly set a police car on fire and attacked its driver, Al-Ahram reported.

In Haram, clashes also raged when protesters blocked the road by setting tires on fire.

By Friday evening, state news reported 169 people had been arrested across the country pursuant to the violence.