On Friday, millions of Egyptians filled the streets in rival protests, raising fears of violent clashes between supporters and opponents of ousted President Mohamed Morsi. At least seven people have been killed and hundreds wounded in scattered violence across the country, Reuters reported. 

The demonstrations came after state prosecutors announced criminal accusations against Morsi. The charges focus on an alleged conspiracy with the Palestinian group Hamas to escape from jail during the 2011 uprising, killing some prisoners and officers, as well as kidnapping soldiers and torching buildings. 

ALSO SEE: Morsi Detained And Accused Of Collaborating With Hamas 

The decisive move against Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood party marks a turning point in the country’s transition after the overthrow of the dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak in 2011. 

Hinting to the rise of Egypt’s army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, many protesters displayed posters of the general, at times depicting him alongside former military officers who became Egyptian presidents, Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar Sadat.

Since the ousting of Morsi last month, over 100 people have been killed in rallies between opponents and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood. During one of the violent clashes on July 8, soldiers and police officers fired on Morsi supporters and killed 62. 

ALSO SEE: Egypt’s Army Chief Calls For Nationwide Rallies

 

Reach Executive Producer Syuzanna Petrosyan here. Follow her on Twitter.