The North Cairo Criminal Court on Tuesday resumed the third trial of 25 suspects accused of ordering the assault on protesters in Tahrir Square on 2 and 3 February, widely referred to as the "Battle of the Camel."
Judicial sources told Al-Masry Al-Youm that all suspects attended the trial on Tuesday. A large number of journalists were also present, as they – along with a bulk of the plaintiffs' lawyers – had not been given permission to attend on Sunday and Monday.
Among those being tried are Safwat al-Sherif, the former head of the now-dissolved National Democratic Party (NDP), Fathi Sorour, the former speaker of the People's Assembly, businessman and former leading NDP member Ibrahim Kamel, former Manpower and Immigration Minister Aisha Abdel Hady, former MP Mortada Mansour, and former MP and businessman Mohamed Abul Einein.
Only one reporter was allowed in from each newspaper in the morning, and lawyers did not face any difficulties in entering the courtroom.
Over the past two days, disputes have emerged with police claiming that journalists and lawyers did not have permits to enter the courtroom, a decree that surprised both lawyers and journalists on Sunday.
The court will hear on Tuesday testimonies from eight of the prosecution's witnesses.
On Sunday, the court decided to ban media broadcasts of the trial, claiming it would ensure justice was served. Then on Monday, the court reviewed photos and videos recorded on 16 CDs that show the attacks on the protesters.
The plaintiffs are arguing that the attacks on demonstrators made use of thousands of paid thugs, some of whom were riding horses and camels.
According to the plaintiffs' investigations, Sherif organized pro-Mubarak marches that intentionally clashed with anti-regime protesters during the 18-day uprising.
The investigation also found that Sherif contacted former NDP members of parliament for help in dispersing protesters by force, even if it meant killing the demonstrators.
