The Egyptian prosecutor-general, Hisham Barakat, on Thursday imposed a media gag order on the case of slain protester Shaimaa El-Sabagh.

"The general prosecution denounces what was reported in terms of inaccurate and contradictory information in the media about the murder case, without any consideration to the current undergoing investigation."

El-Sabagh, a leading member in the Socialist Popular Alliance Party, died from birdshot as police dispersed a memorial march for the victims of the 25 January revolution in midtown Cairo.

The prosecutor-general said in his statement issued on Thursday that media reports about the murder of the 32-year-old activist may affect the course of investigations. 

The death of El-Sabagh caused local and international outcry, with many criticising the security forces for using the excessive force in dispersing the protests. 

The Socialist Popular Alliance Party accused the police of "premeditated murder" while police officials have denied that security forces had a role in El-Sabagh’s death.