Security forces arrested late Monday Mahmoud Shaaban, a recently suspended preacher at al-Azhar University, accusing him of "inciting violence", a security source said.Shaaban was arrested after performing the evening prayer at a mosque in the Zaitoun neighbourhood in eastern Cairo, the source added.
He was reportedly transferred to the prosecution right away to begin its investigation.
Azhar University suspended Shaaban, who teaches Islamic and Arabic studies there, earlier in November over allegations that he incited violence. University Chairman Abdel Hai Azab told state-run al-Ahram that he would remain suspended pending an investigation into the accusations leveled against him.
Shaaban was a vocal supporter of the regime of ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi. His religious statements often caused controversy.
