An Egyptian court ordered the release of several MB leaders including Dr. Essam Al-Erian and Dr. Mohamed Morsy as well as nine others who had been detained in several cases including what was known as the Political Bureau case, in which nine MB members were detained on political grounds.

Dr. Al-Erian and Dr. Morsy had been detained on May 5, 2006 while they were participating in demonstrations staged in Cairo in solidarity with the pro-reform judges.

Attorney Abdul-Monem Abdul-Maksoud said in a statement to Ikhwanweb that he expected the release, hailing the Egyptian judiciary which he said has been a safe haven for the oppressed. He hoped it to be followed by other positive steps, and calling on the authorities to reconsider the positions of all those detainees on charges related to freedom of expression.