The ongoing trial over the bombing of the Two Saints Church in Alexandria on New Year's Eve 2010-2011 was postponed Sunday following the death of Pope Shenouda III.
Joseph Mallak, the church's lawyer, officially requested the delay of the hearing, out of respect for the Pope's the period of mourning declared after his death.
The last hearing, held on 5 February 2012, was adjourned as a result of Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, Egypt's de-facto ruler, failing to attend.
The request for Tantawi's attendance at the hearings was an attempt to make him commit to the investigation and to order the interior ministry to fully cooperate.
The bombing of the Two Saints Church in Alexandria resulted in the deaths of 21 people and the injuring of many others. It blamed on the Palestinian Islamic Army. However, following the 18-day uprising that led to the ouster of Hosni Mubarak, his former interior minister, Habib El-Adly, was accused of orchestrating the attacks.
El-Adly is currently facing a 12-year jail term over separate corruption charges. He is also undergoing trial on a number of other charges, including ordering the killing of peaceful protesters during the 18-day uprising.
