Trial of ex-president Morsi set to resume in Egypt

PanARMENIAN.Net - Egyptian security forces are on high alert for a court appearance Wednesday, Jan 8, in the capital Cairo by deposed President Mohammed Morsi, BBC News reports.

Morsi and 14 other Muslim Brotherhood figures are accused of inciting the killing of protesters outside the presidential palace in December 2012. He was removed by the army last July after demonstrations against his rule.

His supporters have since held regular protests calling for his reinstatement. Last Friday at least 11 people died in clashes between police and Muslim Brotherhood demonstrators across Egypt.

Morsi also faces other charges ranging from colluding with foreign militants in a terrorist plot to jail breaking.

Human rights groups have dismissed some of the allegations against him as preposterous.

Egyptian officials insist he will be given a fair trial but lawyers trying to defend Morsi say they have been denied access to him.

Morsi first appeared in court in early November amid chaotic scenes. Speaking from behind bars, he insisted he was still the president and was being held against his will. He also refused to wear a prison uniform. Some Egyptian journalists responded with calls for his execution.

Although Morsi won the presidency in a democratic election, he fell out with key institutions during his 13 months in power.

The interim government has since cracked down on the Muslim Brotherhood, classifying it as a terrorist organisation and arresting dozens of senior figures.

Morsi's supporters say he and other senior Brotherhood leaders are the victims of politically motivated prosecutions.