A son of the leader of Egypts Muslim Brotherhood was killed during protests against the army-backed interim government, the Brotherhoods Freedom and Justice Party said Saturday as the death toll rose to 173.Ammar Badie, son of Mohammed Badie, was shot dead in Cairos Ramses Square on Friday, the party said on its website.
He died near the al-Fath mosque, which was turned into a makeshift field hospital for injured protesters. Ammar Badie, a 38-year-old, computer engineer, is survived by his wife and two children.
It is not known where the Brotherhoods leader currently is, Reuters said. He has been charged with inciting violence and faces a trial that starts on Aug. 25.
Sherif Shawki, spokesman for the Egypt's prime minister, said Saturday on State TV that 173 people had been killed and more than 1,000 wounded in violence across Egypt since yesterday's protests began.
Shawki added that 57 police officers had been killed and 503 had been injured since Wednesday when security forces moved to clear the pro-Muslim Brotherhood protest camps in Cairo.
A tense standoff continued at the al-Fath mosque Saturday after some protestersbarricaded themselves insidewhile riot police and some plain clothes officers with sticks stood guard. Riot police had locked the front gates to the courtyard outside.
On Wednesday, the 17 year old daughter of Mohammed el Beltagy was also killed. El Beltagy is one the most seniors members of the Brotherhood.
More than 1,000 supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood movement were arrested during the protests Friday, Egypts Interior Ministry said in a statement Saturday.
Egyptian state TV reported on Saturday that the son of Hassan Malek, another Brotherhood leader, was among those arrested, Reuters said.
Police also detained Brotherhood politician Gamal Heshmat, according to a statement from the Anti Coup Alliance. Heshmat is a leading member of the Freedom and Justice Party.
ByNBCNews.com
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