Cairo Criminal Court postponed on Thursday to 25 March the trial of 21 defendants, including a Turkish national, accused of storming Al-Azhar sheikhdom in November 2013.
Cairo Criminal Court held its first session on Thursday and listened to the requests of the defendants' lawyers. The lawyers demanded the release of the defendants without bail for being university students who have a fixed residence known to the security authorities, according to a judicial source.
The judicial source said that five defendants did not attend the session, including the Turkish student studying at the University of Al-Azhar.
The court decided to postpone the trial until all the defendants are brought to the court.
The source pointed out that the defendants who attended the session were all held in Abu Zaabal Prison in Qaliubiya, north of Cairo. The source added five defendants held in Wady al-Natroun Prison were not able to attend the trial, without clarifying reasons.
West of Cairo prosecutor referred 21 supporters of toppled President Mohamed Morsy to the criminal court over charges committing violence, thuggery, attempting to storm the headquarters of Al-Azhar, blocking the road, assaulting public employees, sabotage, and suspending traffic.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
