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Egyptian presidential hopeful Ahmed Shafiq has accused his Islamist rival of harassing Christians. Shafiq, who was speaking after protests over the outcome of Mubarak trial continued, said the Muslim Brotherhood was aiming to create a 'sectarian' state, the BBC reports. At a televised news conference he accused the Brotherhood of trying to blackmail the Christian Copts and preventing them from exercising their voting rights. He also said the Brotherhood was 'terrifying' voters in a bid to influence them, 'especially those who voted for me in the first round'. Shafiq is contesting election against Mohammed Mursi, candidate of the socially conservative Muslim Brotherhood, on 16-17 June. Shafiq was Mubarak's last prime minister and a former air force commander. About 1,000 anti-Mubarak activists came to Tahrir Square angry that he and his two sons were acquitted of corruption and six former police chiefs also escaped punishment. Mohammed Mursi visited Tahrir Square on Saturday night and said if elected, he would retry Mubarak and former regime officials suspected of involvement in killing protesters.

Egyptian presidential candidate accuses Muslim Brotherhood of harassing Christians