The High State Security Court on Monday rejected a bid by lawyers of blogger/activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah for the latter's immediate release from detention.

Abd El-Fattah was arrested on 30 October for his alleged role in the Maspero clashes on 9 October 2011. The charges initially included the theft of military arms, attacking military personnel, destroying military property, and inciting violence against military personnel during the clashes. 

On 22 November, the ruling military junta decided to refer those accused of involvement in the Maspero clashes and November's Tahrir clashes to the civil prosecution rather than military prosecution as originally planned. The High State Security Court later added the charge of premeditated murder with the intention of committing an act of terrorism to the list of charges facing Abd El-Fattah.

Alaa's wife, Manal Hassan, is expected to give birth to their first son this week.

Abd El-Fattah will appear in front of the court again on Sunday to hear if his detention will be extended for a further 15 days pending investigation.