Egypt's High State Security Prosecution appealed Thursday a criminal court decision to release controversial preacher Mahmoud Shaaban and 10 other defendants being investigated in what is known as the “Salafist Front” case.

The High State Security Prosecution also appealed against the release of the head of the Independence Party, Magdi Hussein, and four other leading figures in the former Muslim Brotherhood-led National Alliance to Support Legitimacy (NASL).

The High State Security Prosecution is specialised in investigating cases related to terrorism and national security.

Mahmoud Shaaban was arrested in November 2014 on allegations of inciting violence.

Shaaban referred to ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) in a video that was published on social media in 2014 as fellow Muslims who had "made mistakes and whom we are obliged to guide and mentor."

Shaaban was also arrested and released on bail in February 2013 under former president Mohamed Morsi's rule, after issuing a fatwa (religious edict) sanctioning the killing of opposition politicians.