Update: Morsi sent to prison in Alexandria, other defendants transferred to Tora

After getting off to a rocky start Monday morning, deposed President Mohamed Morsi’s trial has been adjourned to January 8, giving the court more time to review case documents. State media reported that Morsi will be moved to Borg al-Arab Prison in Alexandria.

Amin Eldin, Alexandria’s security director, said that the Borg el-Arab Prison and the surrounding area were completely secured by police forces in cooperation with military troops in anticipation of Morsi’s arrival.

Other defendants being tried in the same case were transferred to Tora Prison, including Muslim Brotherhood leaders Mohamed al-Beltagy and Essam al-Erian, and members of Morsi’s presidential team, Asaad al-Sheikha, Ayman Hodhod and Ahmed Abdel Aty, said a security source in the Interior Ministry.

Hardline conservative preacher Wagdi Gohneim and Gamal Saber — a leader in the Hazemoun movement founded in support of Salafi preacher Hazem Salah Abou Ismail — are also being tried in the case, and will be held at Tora as well.

State media also reported that some parts of the trial would be aired on television.

Today's session had barely begun before it was suspended, twice, before finally being adjourned. State media reported that defendants chanted “Down with military rule” from the dock, forcing the authorities to halt the session on two different occasions.

State media also reported that Morsi led the other defendants in prayer inside the dock.

Morsi had arrived in a helicopter early Monday morning to the Police Academy where the first hearing in the case of the Ettehadiya Presidential Palace clashes last December is being held, a police source told the privately-owned Al-Masry Al-Youm.

Morsi alongside another 14 defendants who also reached the court early Monday, according to Ossama al-Sagheer, the head of the Cairo Security Directorate, are accused of inciting murder during the December 5 violence near the presidential palace, which left 11 people dead and scores injured.

The other defendants include Abdel Rahman Ezz and Ahmad al-Mogheer, members of the Brotherhood Youth.

The presiding judge, Ahmad Sabry Youssef, has a track record of ruling in important cases such as the case against presidential candidate and Morsi's main contender in the 2012 elections Ahmed Shafiq whereby he was found innocent of charges of public funds embezzlement. Youssef also sentenced the guard of Muslim Brotherhood leader Khairat al-Shater to one year in prison, as he was accused of carrying unlicensed weapons. 

The trial is the first in a series of cases held against Morsi, who was ousted from power by the military in July following popular protests demanding his resignation. The Ettehadiya violence erupted when Muslim Brotherhood supporters clashed with protesters opposing Morsi after his announcement of a Constitutional Declaration that immunizes his decisions from judicial oversight. The incident is believed to be one of the first major events that led to the popular outcry against Morsi. 

The case is taking place amidst tightened security measures for fear of Muslim Brotherhood protests in solidarity with Morsi and the other defendants. 

Morsi's supporters have gathered at the Police Academy chanting for the ousted president, while lawyers defending him started to arrive. 

A defense committee of lawyers was formed to support the defendants, including human rights lawyers.