Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood Calls for 'Martyr's Friday'

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood is calling
for mass rallies Friday, after the
military-backed government released
deposed President Hosni Mubarak from prison.

Mubarak, an ex-military commander
who ruled Egypt for 29 years, was
transferred Thursday to a military
hospital near Cairo, where he will
remain under house arrest.

The 85-year-old is awaiting trial for
murder in connection with the killing of hundreds of protesters during a popular uprising that forced him from power in 2011. He has also been charged with corruption.

An Egyptian court ordered Mubarak's
release this week, ruling his pre-verdict
detention had exceeded legal limits.
The ruling angered the Muslim
Brotherhood, whose democratically
elected leader, Mohamed Morsi, was
forced from power by the military last
month and remains in prison.

The Brotherhood and the so-called
"Anti-Coup Alliance" have called for a
"Martyr's Friday" of mass
demonstrations against the military,
raising fears of fresh violence.
The government says over 1,000 people
have been killed in political violence
since Morsi's ouster. Although the large
majority of the victims have been
Islamist protesters, dozens of security
forces have also been killed.

The army-backed interim government,
meanwhile, has arrested dozens of
Brotherhood officials and supporters,
including its spiritual leader, Mohamed
Badie.

The military has denied carrying out a coup in ousting Morsi, saying it had the support of millions of protesters who called for his removal in June.

Egyptian Soldier