Public Attorney ‘Abd al-Majīd Mahmūd has decided to free 70 of those accused of causing the disturbances that occurred in the ‘Umrāniyyah district of Giza last month, saying he did so "out of concern for their educational future" and because some are elderly.
A church source has said that Pope Shenouda III is continuing his seclusion at the Bishop Bīshūy monastery. The source added that the church welcomes the release as a preliminary to the release of the remaining detainees.
The public attorney said the prosecutor's office is still examining the situation of the 84 who remain in custody.
Bishop Marqus, Head of the Information Committee at the Clerical Council, thanked the public attorney for his decision.
(Similar reports appeared in Al-Yawm al-Sābi‘, 14-12-2010, p.5, Al-Akhbār, 14-12-2010, p.1, Al-Dustūr, 14-12-2010, p.1, Al-Wafd 14-12-2010, p.1, Al-Shurūq al-Jadīd, 14-12-2010, p.1, Rose al-Yūsuf, 14-12-2010, p. 1, Al-Wafd, 14-12-2010, p.16.)