[JURIST] Egypt authorities on Saturday announced a criminal investigation of ousted president Mohamed Morsi [official BBC profile; JURIST news archive], who was deposed [JURIST report] on July 3rd by the Egyptian military. Prosecutors have reported that they are investigating complaints [Reuters report] which include charges of spying, ruining the economy and inciting violence. The complaints, which were formally filed by an unidentified citizen, will allow Egyptian prosecutors to investigate and pursue criminal charges against Morsi. Prosecutors also noted Saturday that they have received additional complaints against Mohammed Badie, a spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood [BBC profile; JURIST news archive], who was accused of inciting violence [JURIST report] last week.

Although Egypt has faced political unrest since the Egyptian Revolution [JURIST backgrounder] began over two years ago, the conflict peaked two weeks ago, after the Egyptian military deposed Mohamed Morsi, in addition to suspending the nation’s constitution and installing an interim government. The Chairman of the Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt, Adly Mansour [BBC profile], subsequently took the oath [JURIST report] to become the interim head of state. Only one day after Morsi was ousted, Egyptian authorities shut down four Islamist-run television stations [JURIST report], causing concern among groups such as Amnesty International (AI) [advocacy website]. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) [official website] last Tuesday urged Egyptian authorities [JURIST report] to address the escalating violence. According to the OHCHR more than 80 people have been killed and over 1000 injured since political turmoil gripped the nation two weeks ago.