[JURIST] An Egyptian judge on Monday extended the detention of ousted president Mohamed Morsi [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] by 15 days. Morsi has been held since July 3 when he was deposed [JURIST report] by the Egyptian military, which then suspended the constitution and established an interim government. Morsi’s detention was extended in order to allow more time to investigate claims [AP report] that he conspired with Palestinian militants in 2011 during Egypt’s uprising. Monday’s news coincided with an announcement that Egyptian authorities would postpone plans to disburse protesters who are calling for Morsi to be reinstated as president.

While Egypt has experienced unrest since its 2011 revolution, the country has been particularly volatile since Morsi was ousted in July and the Chairman of the Supreme Constitutional Court, Adly Mansour [BBC profile], was installed as the interim head of state. On Sunday UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged [JURIST report] Egyptian political parties to reconcile and find a peaceful resolution. Last month UN rights chief Navi Pillay urged an end to the violence [JURIST report] in Egypt following clashes between protesters and Egyptian authorities. Also in July Egyptian authorities announced [JURIST report] a criminal investigation of Morsi.