The investigating panel had received the probes by a sovereign security agency that disclosed ‘Azīz’s involvement in the incidents in which 28 persons are suspected, all released but banned from traveling out of the country pending investigations.

‘Azīz, according to investigations, has met with a number of people on the day of the clashes and incited them to use violence and force with police and armed forces personnel.

Sixteen persons were mowed down to death by military armor vehicles while eight others were killed by gunfire in the incidents that also left dozens wounded, including two by gunfire and were in a serious condition while the rest were wounded by exchanged stones, according to a report by the forensic pathologists.

Investigations by the Supreme State Security Prosecution had also disclosed the involvement into the incidents of Priest Philopater Jamīl of the Virgin Mary Church in the Giza district of Faysal, Priest Matias Nasr of the Virgin Mary Church in ‘Izbit al-Nakhl, Priest Sabrī Zakhārī, Copts Without Restrictions movement coordinator Sharīf Ramzī, activists Ibram Lucille and Tharwat Kamāl, April 6 Movement member Bahā’ Sāvir Simīdah, Copts for Egypt Movement founder and the Million Center for Human Rights (MCHR) chairman Hānī al-Jizirī, Maspero Youth Union coordinator Rāmī Kāmil Salīb and Mīnā Ibrāhīm Danial, who was shot dead during the incidents, on charges of inciting violence. [Hātim al-Jahmī, al-Shurūq al-Jadīd, Jan. 7, p. 3]