Security forces arrested 516 individuals affiliated with the banned Muslim Brotherhood on the fourth anniversary of the January 2011 uprising, Egypt’s Interior Minister announced on Monday.
“We confirmed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that all those who took to the streets yesterday were Muslim Brotherhood elements alone,” said Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim during a press conference.
The latest death toll provided by the Health Ministry for the violence which broke out on the uprising’s anniversary was 23. Health Ministry Spokesman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar added that 97 were also injured in the violence.
Ibrahim said two security personnel were among those killed. He added that all those who died nationwide on Sunday “were shot with Muslim Brotherhood bullets,” reported state television.
The Cairo district of Matariya, a Muslim Brotherhood stronghold, saw some of the deadliest confrontations between protesters and security forces continuing on Monday.
“The Brotherhood rallied a group of their elements in Matariya, but we dealt with them,” Ibrahim said.
The Muslim Brotherhood has been rallying for protests nationwide to commemorate the anniversary. A 17-year old girl was killed during a Brotherhood protest in Alexandria on Friday.
Security forces also dispersed a protest against “military rule” staged outside the press syndicate in downtown Cairo. Protesters included families of those killed during the 2011 uprising which toppled the regime of former President Hosni Mubarak.
In anticipation of protests, security measures across Cairo have been heightened, specifically around major squares.
Tahrir square, located in Downtown Cairo, is considered one of the symbols of the uprising. Military vehicles have been situated at the entrances of the square and on roads leading to it, state-run MENA reported.
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