Update: Clashes continue in Cairo, Zagazig, Alexandria on first day of Morsi trial

As former President Mohamed Morsi’s trial began on Monday morning — only to be suspended, and then adjourned, within a matter of hours — the Muslim Brotherhood leader's supporters clashed with security forces and civilians in incidents scattered across the country.

Thousands of protesters in front of the Supreme Constitutional Court (SCC) blocked traffic on the Nile Corniche Road leading to Maadi this morning, while other protests were staged outside the Police Academy in New Cairo’s Fifth Settlement, where the trial is taking place.

The demonstrators at the SCC chanted against the Interior Ministry and the Armed Forces, then began marching down the Corniche towards the Ring Road. Their final destination was unclear.

Later in the afternoon, the protesters blocked the Ring Road between the Maadi and Giza exits with wooden logs and burning tires.

Clashes at pro-Morsi protests were reported in Cairo and Alexandria today. Journalists from state and privately owned media claimed to have been attacked by Morsi supporters as they attempted to cover the demonstrations.

The Committee to Protect Independent Media condemned the attacks against journalists, according to a statement carried by state media. 

The committee described the attacks as “criminal,” especially as they were allegedly targeted at female journalists, who reported sexual harassment. The statement blamed the pro-Morsi protesters for the attacks, and put the responsibility for protecting journalists on the Interior Ministry and other security apparatuses, asserting that “journalists are not part of the political battle.”

The area around the High Court in downtown Cairo turned into a site of clashes as pro- and anti-Morsi protesters threw rocks at each other.

Clashes broke out around Morsi’s residence in Sharqiya’s Zagazig area between supporters and opponents of the deposed president as both sides threw rocks at each other. Some injuries were reported. 

The state-run Middle East News Agency reported that a march of Brotherhood students took off from Zagazig University en route to the Morsi family home. 

Fifteen Morsi supporters were arrested in the Raml Station district of Alexandria early Monday afternoon after clashes broke out with pro-army demonstrators. The two groups engaged in rock throwing skirmishes on the Alexandria Corniche.

Security forces also dispersed dozens of protesters assembled in front of the US Consulate in Alexandria as they chanted slogans against the Armed Forces and the Interior Ministry.

Morsi has been held incommunicado since his ouster by the Armed Forces on July 3. He faces charges of murder and attempted murder related to clashes in December 2012 that claimed 11 lives in front of Ettehadiya Presidential Palace.

The deposed president is facing trial alongside Freedom and Justice Party deputy Essam al-Erian and Brotherhood leader Mohamed al-Beltagy, as well as other group figures.

Morsi is also implicated in prison breaks, in particular that at Wadi al-Natrun Prison, during the January 25 uprising in 2011. He also faces charges of spying alongside Hamas in order to conduct attacks on Egyptian police stations and officers, and is charged with working with Hamas on the premeditated murder and kidnap of policemen.

Demonstrations demanding Morsi’s reinstatement have been ongoing since his ouster.

Two sit-ins that were held for more than a month were forcibly dispersed by security forces in mid-August, leaving hundreds dead. Ensuing protests have led to clashes between Morsi supporters on the one hand, and security forces along with civilians on the other.

On Monday, minor altercations broke out between Morsi supporters and pro-military groups in Ramses. The fighting escalated to rock throwing between both sides, and tear gas was fired from armored trucks to disperse the crowds, Mada Masr reporters said.

Security was heightened ahead of expected protests and the high possibility of clashes between supporters and opponents of the deposed president. The Ambulance Authority also intensified its presence in expected flash points in the cities, especially outside the Police Academy.

As a security measure, the trial was moved from its planned location at the Police Institute near Tora in Maadi, to the Police Academy in New Cairo.

Tahrir Square was closed off to traffic by army vehicles, and the presence of Central Security Forces was heavy around the area, namely by the Parliament building and the US Embassy. Traffic was also rerouted at Rabea el-Adaweya Square, Nasr Road and Nahda Road, among others.

The umbrella group which calls itself the Anti-Coup Alliance said marches will be organized later in the afternoon in different governorates, namely Suez and Monufiya.

A security source said that security was tightened in and around Wadi al-Natrun prison, and added that checkpoints were added along the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road.