Clashes in Cairo leave one dead

Four others arrested as government forces respond to violence on sidelines of pro-Morsi gathering

By AFP 15 May 2014, 12:55 pm

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Egyptian riot police disperse students who support the Muslim Brotherhood and ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, during clashes following a demonstration at the Cairo University on April 15, 2014. (AFP/Mahmoud Khaled/File)

CAIRO — One person was killed during clashes in Cairo overnight between supporters and opponents of deposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, Egyptian security officials said Thursday.

Four people were also arrested during the violence that broke out on the sidelines of a pro-Morsi gathering, the officials said.

Since the Egyptian army ousted and detained Morsi on July 3 last year, the security forces have waged a crackdown on protests by his supporters.

The crackdown has seen more than 1,400 people killed and 15,000 arrested, including nearly the entire leadership of Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, which the military-installed authorities have banned and declared a “terrorist” group.

Almost 500 security personnel have also been killed in a wave of militant attacks carried out in retaliation.

The Islamists are expected to step up their protests ahead of a presidential election called for May 26-27.

Former army chief Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, who toppled Morsi, is expected to stroll to victory in the election against his only rival, Hamdeen Sabbahi, a leftist politician.