In a court session on Wednesday, as part of the trial of the suspected Nasr City-based terrorist cell, defendants shouted death threats as six National Security officers entered the court hall to deliver testimony required by the court.
“We will kill you. We have your home addresses, and one bullet would get our revenge for you,” they reportedly yelled.
Security sources told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the officers have contacted their superiors at the national security authority to inform them about the threats. They were advised to be careful and not leave the court hall.
In October 2013, Egyptian security forces in Cairo raided an apartment in the eastern district of Nasr City, killing a Libyan militant who Egypt said was involved in an attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi that killed the US ambassador. Twenty-six defendants are accused of plotting attacks in Egypt and forming a terrorist group.
The judge ensured the witnesses’ protection and prevented media from entering the courtroom. The six officers gave their testimony regarding the events surround the arrest of the alleged cell.
Defendants interrupted the officers' testimony with repeated death threats, though the officers continued testifying.
“The defendants know everything about us, so much that one of them recited to me my home addresses accurately as I was leaving the courtroom,” One of the officers told Al-Masry Al-Youm after he gave his testimony.
The officer accused them of being behind last month’s murder of national security officer Mohamed Mabrouk.
The court adjourned the session until 18 February.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
