Trial of Brotherhood leaders in Qalyub case adjourned

The Shubra al-Kheima Criminal Court on Monday adjourned to February 20 the trial of 48 defendants, including Muslim Brotherhood leaders Mohamed Badie, the group’s supreme guide, and Mohamed al-Beltagy, on charges of inciting violence and blocking the Qalyub Agricultural Road last July. 

During the session, the court showed footage from Al Jazeera and other networks where June 30 is described as a “coup,” and of protesters following the dispersal of the Rabea al-Adaweya sit-in, to which Beltagy objected, saying the videos are irrelevant to the Qalyub events and show no footage of the agricultural road, state owned Al-Ahram reported.

The court proceeded to show other videos of various protests to which Beltagy yelled, “What does this have to do with Qalyub? Wake up, Egyptian people.”

During the court session, Beltagy called on the head of the court to investigate the death of his daughter during the dispersal of the Rabea al-Adaweya sit-in last August.

Eight other leading members of the group are implicated in the Qalyub case, including Essam al-Erian, as well as former Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Bassem Ouda.

The group, which also includes Islamist preacher Safwat Hegazy, is facing trial for violence that took place in Qalyubiya in the aftermath of former President Mohamed Morsi’s removal from office by the military, following mass protests against him. The events resulted in the death of two and left 35 injured.

The defendants are also charged with belonging to a terrorist organization that aims to spread violence against state institutions, blocking traffic, destruction of public and private property, as well as possession of weapons and live ammunition.