Egypt police attack pro-Brotherhood demo, two killed

Egyptian police have clashed with supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood movement, killing two protesters and taking six others into custody.

The Interior Ministry released the figures in a statement on Friday, accusing those killed in the confrontation of trying to organize a large anti-government demonstration and carry out attacks against security forces in the northern port city of Damietta.

The rally, which began after Friday Prayers, was initially peaceful, but it turned violent after police intervention.

Two policemen and another protester sustained injuries in the violence, according to reports.

Heavily armed security forces were deployed to Damietta following the clashes in a bid to prevent further demonstrations.

The Muslim Brotherhood has faced crackdown since former president Mohamed Morsi was ousted in a coup led by the then military chief and current president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, in July 2013.

The Brotherhood was later blacklisted as a terrorist organization by officials in a bid to prevent its affiliates from running in elections.

International rights groups have repeatedly blasted the government of Sisi for launching a heavy-handed crackdown on anti-government protesters and stifling freedom of speech.

The clampdown has led to the death of more than 1,400 people and the arrest of 22,000 others, while hundreds have been sentenced to death in mass trials, according to human rights bodies.

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