Police and students clash at Cairo university

Authorities have cracked down on activities of the Muslim Brotherhood since a popular movement, backed by the country’s military, ousted Morsi on July 3. The Brotherhood, Morsi’s base of support, wants him reinstated as president.

"We want the return of legitimate rule to Egypt, we want the return of President Morsi," said Mohamed Magdi, a commerce student. "We are unarmed students. We just approached them and said 'you are our police' and then they attacked us."

The students had been protesting for the second day on campus in support of Morsi. Graffiti scrawled on university buildings condemned General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the army chief who toppled Morsi, as a murderer and traitor.

The army rejects allegations that it deposed Morsi in a coup and says it was merely responding to the will of the people.

The government refers to the Brotherhood as "terrorists" and does not distinguish between the movement and Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups in the lawless Sinai Peninsula who carry out almost daily attacks on security forces.

Following weeks of anti-government protests by the group, the country’s interim government outlawed the Muslim Brotherhood – arresting most of its leaders in the process. The group’s leaders, including Morsi, have been charged with such crimes as inciting or taking part in violence.

Nevertheless, Morsi’s supporters say they will continue to protest until the army-backed government falls – though demonstrations are now much smaller than they once were.

Al Jazeera and wire services