The Supreme State Security Court on Thursday postponed hearings into the case known as the “Egyptian Hizbullah Cell” until 21 November. The move comes in response to a request by a new defense team, appointed by the court after the previous team withdrew from the case on Wednesday.
From inside the prisoners’ dock, the defendants objected to the appointment of the new team, accusing the court of “intransigence.” Along with 18 Egyptians, two Lebanese and five Palestinian nationals have been charged in the case.
During Wednesday’s hearings, one defense lawyer objected to the attorney-general’s failure to refer the case to another competent court, which, he said, was in violation of the criminal-procedures code.
The courthouse, meanwhile, was surrounded by security personnel who prevented relatives of the defendants from attending the session.
