Judge refers defense team to prosecution in Cabinet clashes trial

The defense team in the case known as the Cabinet clashes trial, relating to a 2011 sit-in that escalated into violent clashes, was referred to the prosecution during Wednesday’s court session with accusations of causing unrest in the courtroom.

The lawyers withdrew from the session, saying that the judge had been disrespecting them and had allowed for faulty legal procedures throughout the trial, adding that returning to the case depends on guarantees to a fair trial.

The case, which has been recently re-opened, accuses activist Ahmed Douma and 269 others of assaulting police officers and illegal assembly, among other charges. The charges relate to the sit-in that was held in December 2011 to protest against military rule at the time. Violent clashes erupted between security forces and protesters, continuing for days and resulting in 17 deaths.

Douma has already been sentenced to three years in prison in another case. His wife had announced on Tuesday that the activist’s health condition is critical, days after he started a hunger strike demanding his release.

According to lawyer Malek Adly, the judge referred lawyers Osama al-Mahdy, Mahmoud Bilal and Basma Zahran to the prosecution. Adly explains that the decision was triggered when the lawyers objected that they were unable to see Douma in the defendants cage, which was covered by dark glass. They also claimed that their requests, including to summon witnesses and adding reports on the incident to the case, were refused. The lawyers also objected to the fact that the court only allows Douma to attend the court sessions, and not the rest of the defendants.

According to Al-Ahram, a verbal altercation occurred between the judge and the lawyers at the beginning of the court session.