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Egyptian Court Rules Military Has No Arrest Power


An Egyptian court has overturned a government decree that allowed military police and intelligence services to arrest civilians.

The decree was issued by the army-backed interim government before a presidential runoff on June 16-17, won by Muslim Brotherhood candidate Muhammad Morsi.

The decree sparked an outcry by activist and politicians who accused the military of seeking to revive an unpopular emergency law, which expired in May.

The court decision can be appealed by the government.

Morsi defeated Ahmad Shafiq, the last prime minister under ousted President Hosni Mubarak.

Shafiq, accompanied by his three daughters and grandchildren, has left Egypt for the United Arab Emirates on June 26, reportedly on a religious pilgrimage.

Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters

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