The Badrashin Misdemeanor Appeals Court has rebuffed an appeal for the release of Coptic defendants involved in riots that erupted on 24 November following a decision by Omraneya, Giza authorities to halt construction on a local church.
Trial is pending for 158 individuals currently held in custody. The accused face charges of attempting to murder 22 policemen, illegal possession of weapons, and destabilizing public order.
Defense lawyer Adel Mikhael said he submitted an appeal to the court requesting the detainees' release. He claimed the accused are held without due cause.
Meanwhile, 14 defendants were inadvertently omitted from the list of suspects demanded for release.
Following the court decision, 20 police cars and 600 officers escorted the defendants back to Tora prison.
Security officers cordoned off the court’s premises on Wednesday night, prohibiting entry in an effort to prevent clashes.
The families of those detained stood quietly outside the building from 6AM to 12PM.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
