BADIE, ERIAN TRIAL SET FOR 9 DECEMBER

         Cairo, 6 Muharram 1435/10 November 2013 (MINA) – Cairo Appeals Court have set 9 December as the date to try Muslim Brotherhood leaders Mohamed Badie and Essam al-Erian on charges of inciting violence in Giza.

         Badie, Erian and Brotherhood-affiliated preacher Safwat Hegazy stand accused of encouraging  their supporters to carry out street violence in Giza in July, Egypt Independent quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

         The three defendants had been detained pending investigations into the violence which broke out in Giza Square between supporters and opponents of deposed President Mohamed Morsy. The clashes left nine dead.

         Defendants face charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of arms, disturbing public security and terrorizing citizens.

Prosecutors order Brotherhood guide arrest over Republican Guard violence

           Egypt’s Public Prosecution ordered on Wednesday the arrest and interrogation of Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie over accusations of inciting violence during clashes outside the Republican Guard headquarters on Monday, which left 59 dead.

           The violence broke out during a protest held by supporters of the deposed president outside the facility where he is widely believed to be confined since his removal last Wednesday.

           Other Islamist leaders included in the summons are Badie’s deputy Mahmoud Ezzat, Muslim Brotherhood senior leader Mohamed al-Beltagy, deputy chairman of the group’s Freedom and Justice Party Essam al-Erian, general secretary of the Brotherhood Mahmoud Hussein, deputy chairman of Wasat Party Essam Sultan, Jama’a al-Islamiya leaders Assem Abdel Maged and Safwat Abdel Ghany, Islamic preacher Safwat Hegazy, and activist Abdel Rahman Ezz.

           Earlier on Wednesday, Heliopolis prosecutors detained 206 people for a 15-day period pending an investigation into the incident, while releasing 446 others on LE200 bail. The suspects face accusations of instigating murder and assaulting public facilities.

           A 100-member team formed by the Public Prosecution has inspected the scene of the clashes and seized firearms, edged weapons, ammunition, shields, IEDs, and fire bottles.

           The army and protesters have traded accusations of responsibility for igniting the violence. (T/P03/E1)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)