2 Brotherhood officials in Egypt to be tried for alleged kidnapping, torture during protests

CAIRO – Officials at the chief prosecutor's office in the northern Egyptian city of Damanhour have referred two local Muslim Brotherhood officials for trial for allegedly kidnapping and torturing three men at the group's headquarters there.

The accusations stem from November protests that swept much of the country, including Damanhour. They followed President Mohammed Morsi's decrees, which have since been rescinded, giving himself near absolute powers.

Morsi is a longtime leader of the Brotherhood.

The officials spoke Sunday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

A lawyer for the three men, Mohammed Bahnasy, confirmed the referral, which was made on Saturday.

Brotherhood spokesman Ahmed Aref said he had heard reports of the referral but could not confirm it.