Trial of Egypt’s Mursi delayed to Feb. 1
Mursi, who was Egypt’s first freely elected president, is accused of inciting the killing of anti-government protesters
An Egyptian court on Wednesday adjourned the murder trial of deposed president Mohammad Mursi to Feb. 1, citing “weather conditions” that prevented Mursi’s transport to court from his prison.
“Because of the weather conditions, Mohammad Mursi could not be brought, so the trial will be adjourned to Feb. 1,” said presiding judge Ahmed Sabry Youssef.
Mursi, who was Egypt’s first freely elected president, is accused of inciting the killing of anti-government protesters outside the presidential palace in 2012. Mursi will also face separate trials on charges of espionage and colluding with militants to carry out attacks in Egypt.
If found guilty, Mursi could face life imprisonment or the death penalty.
During his first court appearance last November, Mursi said he did not recognize the court’s authority and that he was Egypt’s legitimate president.
“I see the judiciary as a cover for the treacherous coup,” the former president stated.
“You have no right to try me because I am your president,” Mursi reportedly told the judge presiding the case, according to Egyptian state TV.
The trial was adjourned due to chaos in the courtroom and his refusal to wear the white outfit mandatory for defendants.
The former president is being held in Burj al-Arab prison in Alexandria, according to the Egyptian Television.
Since the ouster of Mursi on July 3, Egypt’s interim government has cracked down on the Muslim Brotherhood, classifying it as a terrorist organization and arresting dozens of main figures.
He is on trial with 14 co-defendants, including former presidential aides and leaders of his Muslim Brotherhood movement.
Morsi arrived at the courthouse by helicopter, police officials said.
He and his co-defendants are being tried in a makeshift court room inside a police academy outside Cairo, the same venue being used for the trial of his deposed predecessor Hosni Mubarak on similar charges.
An Islamist coalition led by the Brotherhood had called for a "million man march" to coincide with the hearing, which is expected to start around 0800 GMT.
(With AFP)
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