Egypt's interior ministry announced the resurrection of several controversial police units that were shut down following the country's 2011 uprising.
Following the restoration of the secret police units, the interim government has been accused of attempting to return Egypt to the Mubarak era.
According to the Guardian, Egypt's state security investigations service, Mabahith Amn ad-Dawla, a wing of the police force under President Hosni Mubarak, and a symbol of police oppression, was closed in March 2011 along with several units.
The new national security service (NSS) was established in its place.
But after Saturday's massacre of at least 83 Islamists, interior minister Mohamed Ibrahim announced the reinstatement of the units, and referred to the NSS by its old name, the report said.
According to the report, Ibrahim's move suggests he is using the ousting of Morsi, and a corresponding upsurge in support for Egypt's police, as a smokescreen for the re-introduction of pre-2011 practices.
The announcement to restore the police came hours before Egypt's interim prime minister was given the power to place the country in a state of emergency, the report added.