The trial of Islam Afifi, a newspaper editor charged with slandering and defaming prominent Muslim Brotherhood member Essam al-Erian, was postponed today to 10 December by the Dokki Misdemeanors Court.
Afifi is charged with publishing false and libelous information about Erian in the pages of the privately-owned Al-Dostour newspaper.
Monday’s court session saw verbal altercations between the plaintiff and defendant. Erian’s lawyers objected to the defense team’s request that the court consider the Supreme Constitutional Court’s ruling on an earlier case in which Afifi was accused of defaming President Mohamed Morsy. The ruling stated that the editor-in-chief cannot be held responsible for what is published in his newspaper.
The presiding judge adjourned the session to consider the request. After nearly two hours of deliberations, the court decided to postpone the trial to 10 December to wait for the document of the SCC ruling.
Afifi resigned from Al-Dostour in late September, stating that there was severe interference by the board in the editorial policy of the newspaper, especially by board chairman Edward Reda.
The Giza Criminal Court is currently considering another case in which Afifi faces charges of defaming Morsy.
Edited translation from MENA
