Several protests organised by supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi began in Cairo following Friday afternoon prayers. Demonstrations took off in Nasr City, Haram, Zeitoun and Helwan.  

Nasr City witnessed violent clashes after security forces fired teargas at protesters to stop them from reaching Makram Ebeid Street, a main thoroughfare, according to Al-Ahram’s Arabic website. Injuries have been reported.   

Security forces also fired teargas at a protest by supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi as they marched through the district of Haram in Giza.

Demonstrators were on their way from Khatem Al-Morsaleen Mosque to Haram Street when the gas was fired. They were dispersed and took refuge in side streets, reported MENA state news agency.

Security forces have been deployed early Friday in several of Cairo's main squares including Tahrir, Ramsis and Nasr City's Rabaa Al-Adawiya, ahead of expected protests. Giza Square in Giza has been sealed off by security.

Morsi supporters, led by an "anti-coup" Islamist coalition, had called for protests on Friday against the trial of Morsi on charges of espionage.

Morsi will stand trial over allegations he collaborated with Hamas, Hezbollah and other organisations to commit terrorist acts in Egypt, a judicial source revealed on Wednesday.

Morsi is already on trial on charges of killing opposition protesters outside the presidential palace in December 2012.

Morsi supporters have been taking to the streets since his ouster on 3 July demanding his reinstatement. Their mobilisation has diminished however since a major security crackdown saw thousands of sympathisers arrested.