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The Story Behind Morsi's [Fake] Arrest Video

Categories: Middle East & North Africa, Egypt, Breaking News, Citizen Media

A video [1] showing what is being described as the arrest of former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi is making the rounds online. The same video [2] was posted on YouTube on May 21, 2013 under the title “The moment President Mohamed Morsi and his son were arrested.”

Morsi was ousted [3] today [July 4] by the Egyptian military after serving as president for a year. Millions gathered across Egypt from June 30, the first anniversary of his rule, to demand that he — and his Muslim Brotherhood — leave power. Today, the Egyptian army named a new interim president, suspended the constitution and promised new presidential and parliamentary elections will be held soon.

The new video, entitled “In Video, the Arrest of Morsi”, has been uploaded on YouTube [1] and starts with an argument between people [ar] saying that “he” should be handcuffed and “treated like any other criminal.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyt6r0qr7xY

This video, and the timing of his release which coincided with reports that Morsi was under house arrest, has made many confused.

Iyad El-Baghdadi notes:

@iyad_elbaghdadi [4]: Reportedly #Morsi arrest video. Someone is saying over & over “he should step out in handcuffs”. http://bit.ly/12mCD28 #Egypt

And he adds:

@iyad_elbaghdadi [5]: I don't understand the context of #Morsi arrest vid. Some army officers, but what are civilians doing there? http://bit.ly/12mCD28 #Egypt

Journalist Jenan Moussa first shared the video link on Twitter and then removed it. She explains:

@jenanmoussa: [6] I am deleting the video of alleged arrest of Morsi. Not confirmed at all. Apologies.

And Egyptocracy tweets:

@Egyptocracy: [7] There is an false video circulating now of alleged “#Morsi arrest”, he was never arrested, he was under republican guard protection. #Egypt

Meanwhile, Cairo-based Egyptian journalist Amira Howeidy notes:

@amirahoweidy: [8] Morsi under house arrest. Not one single MB figure is accessible. All religious channels switched off. Islamists r silenced. What next?