A judge tasked with investigating an assault on the head of the Judges Club released suspects in the case Monday, pending investigations that will resume Wednesday, on bail of LE5,000 each.
A group of 15 people allegedly beat the prominent judge, Ahmed al-Zend, who sustained minor injuries, while he was leaving the club in downtown Cairo on the night of 23 December.
Business student Mahmoud Metwally, 28-year-old Palestinian Abdel Rahman Eissa and 23-year-old Khaled Abdel Rahman, along with others, allegedly attacked Zend while waiting outside the club and chanting against the judges, according to investigators. The three are accused of illegal assembly, possession of firearms and assault.
Wael al-Shimy, the judges investigating the case, is replacing Mohamed al-Shahed, who declined to investigate the assault after two sessions, upon lawyers' request.
Defense lawyers said there is no evidence against the suspects, no weapons were found on them and witness testimonies are contradictory.
The suspects were arrested by protesting judges and prosecutors, not police, the lawyers said..
Edited translation from MENA
