The official MENA news agency said Friday that Morsi has been detained for 15 days for investigation into the charges.

The charges came just hours before millions of Egyptians were expected to take to the streets in mass rallies for and against Egypt's first freely elected leader.

Morsi has been held by the military since his downfall earlier this month.

In a speech at a military graduation ceremony, which was broadcast on television on Wednesday, Egypt’s Army Chief General Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said, "I urge the people to take to the streets this coming Friday to prove their will and give me, the army and police, a mandate to confront possible violence and terrorism."

On July 3, the head of Egypt’s army chief al-Sisi announced that president Mohamed Morsi was no longer in power. Al-Sisi also dissolved the Egyptian constitution.

The Chief Justice of Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court, Adli Mansour, was sworn in as interim president on July 4.

Since then, Egypt has been the scene of rival rallies and clashes between thousands of the supporters and opponents of Morsi.

NTJ/BA