Zagazig Criminal Court in Sharqiya governorate adjourned the trial of the governorate’s former head of security, Hussein Abu Shannaq, and seven of his aides on charges of killing demonstrators during the 25 January revolution to 9 and 10 May to hear the defense’s argument. It has already heard witness testimonies and the plaintiffs’ arguments.
The court held the hearing covertly in 10th of Ramadan city, amid little security presence, while the families of the victims were absent.
The prosecution accused the defendants of the murder of five demonstrators and of the attempted murder and injury of peaceful protesters demonstrators in Minya al-Kamh, Kafr Sakr, Belbeis and Fakkous.
More than 800 demonstrators were killed and thousands of others wounded throughout the country during the 18-day uprising that forced the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011.
Mubark, former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly and six high-ranking security officials are awaiting a verdict on 2 June on charges of killing protesters during the uprising.
In March, police officers from the Hadayek al-Qubba and Sayeda Zeinab police departments in Cairo were acquitted of killing demonstrators.
