Brotherhood leader, 104 referred to trial

Cairo - Egypt's top prosecutor has referred the leader of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood and 104 supporters to trial on charges of murder and terrorism.

The prosecutor's office said in a statement on Monday that the charges arise from deadly riots in the Suez Canal city of Ismailia on 5 July 2013, two days after the military overthrew Islamist president Mohammed Morsi, himself a long serving Brotherhood leader. At least three people were killed.

Seventy-five of the 105 defendants are in detention and 30 are at large, said the statement. The fugitives will be tried in absentia.

Brotherhood leader Mohammed Badie, Morsi and other group leaders are facing several trials on charges of murder and inciting violence. Badie has been convicted and sentenced to life in at least one case.