Scores of Morsi Supporters Gunned Down by Egyptian Army

Saturday’s demonstrations by supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi turned violent quickly on and left almost 70 of pro-Morsi protesters dead in the streets. While the army chief called for the population to back a campaign to “wipe out violence and terrorism,” his troops on the ground were shooting Morsi supporters at the Cairo mosque that has become the center of the pro-Morsi struggle. The Muslim Brotherhood, headed by Morsi, announced that 66 of their supporters were killed outright and another 61 were declared brain-dead, while several thousand were reported to have been treated for minor wounds and the effects of tear gas. A spokesman for the Health Ministry announced a lower death toll of 65 in Cairo and 9 in Alexandria. The situation was exacerbated when Gen. Sisi, head of the army, exhorted Egyptians to pour into the streets in support of the army to offset the mass-rally organized by Morsi supporters against the military. Human Rights Watch has condemned the killings as “a criminal disregard for people’s lives.” The New York-based rights group said many of the bodies had gunshot wounds that indicated close-up, execution-style deaths. The interior minister said on Saturday that Morsi, whose whereabouts has been kept secret, will likely be transferred to the same prison where the other ousted president, Hosni Mubarak, is being held. In Ramallah, Palestinians held a rally “in support of the Palestinian people” on Saturday. Organized by the Fatah movement, demonstrators protested violence blamed on the Muslim Brotherhood.