Morsi trial postponed to February 24

On Saturday, the Cairo Criminal Court postponed the trial of ousted President Mohamed Morsi and 131 others to February 24, privately owned Al-Masry Al-Youm reported. The defendants are being tried on charges related to prison escape during the January 25 uprising.

During the hearing this morning, Selim al-Awa, head of the board of defense, demanded the court to start an investigation into the alleged spying and recording of phone calls between the defendants, and requested that all hearings be postponed until the prosecution finishes its investigation into the matter.

Morsi’s defense team also requested that the location of the trial be changed, so as to avoid media leaks from inside the courtroom, according to state owned Ahram Gate.

During the trial, former President Morsi addressed the head of court, Judge Shaaban al-Shamy, stating that he is not his enemy, and adding that he regrets the fact the court is taking part in what he termed a ‘farce’.

Morsi also stated that, "I am Mohamed Morsi and I am the president and I am present." The ousted president added that he sees all the court’s procedures as void and would not respond to or acknowledge them.

Morsi noted that he can hear well inside the glass cell and described the trial as a mockery, explaining that a conversation between him and his lawyer was recorded in the presence of Judge Shamy.