The Criminal Court of Shubra el-Kheima adjourned the trial Mohamed Badie, the former Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood organization, to April 8, in the case known as “Qalyub Highway.”
Journalists were not allowed inside the courtroom, despite having an authorization from the president of the court. However, security forces who prevented reporters from entering argued that the matter falls under their responsibility and the final say is theirs, press reported.
The session was held at the Police Academy in Tora. The court had previously allowed relatives of the defendants to attend sessions.
The case involves 47 Brotherhood members including leading figures such as former MP Mohamed al-Beltagy, Broterhood preacher Safwat Hegazi, and former Minister of Supply Bassem Ouda.
The defendants are accused of incitement to murder and violence, obstruction of roads, threating public order, and resisting authorities.
During the previous court session, state prosecution authority demanded the imposition of a 1 million EGP ($ 140,000) fine on the defendants for damaging public properties.
Despite having denied seeing any Brotherhood member carrying weapons, witnesses testified that gunshots were fired by Brotherhood demonstrators, Youm7 reported. Two of the witnesses were relatives of the victims.
At least two people were killed according to MENA, when a large protest erupted last July in the town of Qalyub against the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi, ending in violent clashes between protesters, security forces, and other residents.
The court was further looking into video excerpts captured by state TV of the clashes that occurred that day, while defense lawyer Mohamed el-Damaty had requested a copy of the reports to examine.
Badie is also on trial in a similar case for violent incidents in Minya, and incitement to killing peaceful protesters in front of the Broterhood headquarters in Moqattam, Cairo, along with his deputy Khairat el-Shater.
