MB supreme guide, 637 others face criminal trial for Minya clashes

The Muslim Brotherhood's Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie and 637 other members of the banned Islamist group have been referred to the Minya Criminal Court for their alleged involvement in violent clashes there last August, reported the state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram on Sunday.

Hundreds were arrested in Minya following the violent dispersal of the Rabea al-Adaweya and Nahda Square sit-ins on August 14. The detainees face charges of illegal assembly, threatening security, burning public and private facilities and assaulting and killing police officers.

The trial is slated to begin on March 22.

Earlier this month, the Minya prosecution referred 1,207 Muslim Brotherhood members to the same court.

The defendants are charged with storming and burning the Matay police station, killing a police officer, stealing weapons and releasing inmates, reported the state-owned news site EgyNews.

Their trial is set to start on March 3.

Violence has increased drastically in Minya since former President Mohamed Morsi was forcibly removed from power. The governorate’s churches and Christian residents have repeatedly come under attack, in addition to state institutions. 

Also on Monday, the Alexandria prosecution referred 157 Brotherhood members to criminal court to face trial for their alleged involvement in clashes that broke out in the coastal city last July, said the state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram.

The defendants are accused of illegal possession of weapons, terrorizing and killing civilians and attempting to storm the Sidi Gaber police station.