CAIRO — Ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi is under investigation for an array of charges including espionage, murder, jailbreak and conspiracy with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, fueling tensions tensions as opposing political camps took to the streets. Confirming the potential for bloodshed, two people were killed in confrontations in Egypt's second city Alexandria and a further 19 were hurt, Mena news agency reported. Heeding a call by army chief General Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for a popular mandate, hundreds of thousands rallied in numerous cities, welcoming the military's pledge to confront weeks of violence unleashed by the overthrow of Morsi on July 3. Supporters of the deposed Islamist leader also staged mass, counter-demonstrations to demand his reinstatement, shrugging off fears of an imminent crackdown and vowing not to give in to an army demand for an immediate end to their protests. Hundreds of people fought a pitched battled in Alexandria, with birdshot fired and men on roof tops hurling stones down at the crowds below. Seven protesters were also reported hurt in the Nile Delta city of Damietta. In Cairo, military helicopters repeatedly buzzed low over the main pro-Morsi tent vigil before wheeling around Tahrir Square, flooded with flag waving army supporters, some of whom held portraits of Sisi in full ceremonial uniform. The West is increasingly concerned over the course taken by the country of 84 million people, a pivotal nation between the Middle East and North Africa and recipient of $1.5 billion a year in mainly military aid from the United States. Morsi has not been seen in public since his downfall and the army has said he is being held for his own safety. But an official news agency said he would now be detained for 15 days as a judge investigated a raft of allegations. The probe centers on charges he conspired with Hamas to flee jail during the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak, killing some prisoners and officers, kidnapping soldiers and torching buildings. Morsi has previously said locals helped him escape from prison during the 2011 upheavals and the Muslim Brotherhood denounced the series of accusations leveled against him. "At the end of the day, we know all of these charges are nothing more than the fantasy of a few army generals and a military dictatorship," Brotherhood spokesman Gehad El-Haddad said. "We are continuing our protests on the streets." Many thousands of men, women and children joined Brotherhood supporters at their round-the-clock vigil in northeast Cairo, which is close to army installations but far from Tahrir Square, focal point for the pro-army rally. "It is either victory over the coup or martyrdom," said senior Brotherhood politician Mohamed El-Beltagy, addressing the packed pro-Mursi rally. "Our blood and our souls for Islam!" the crowds chanted. The army has threatened to "turn its guns" on those who use violence, while the Brotherhood has warned of civil war, denying suggestions that it is provoking trouble. Convulsed by political and economic turmoil, Egypt is deeply polarized, struggling to make the transition from the autocratic rule of the discredited Mubarak to free and open democracy. "The Brothers stole our revolution," said Salah Saleh, a horse trainer at a central Cairo rally, voicing widespread criticism that Morsi refused to share out power after taking office and then failed to tackle Egypt's many woes. "They came and sat on the throne and controlled everything." State television screened images of the celebrations after Sisi announced Morsi had been deposed. The narrator declared it "the day of liberation from the Brotherhood occupation". — Agencies
