CAIRO (AFP) ― Egypt’s deposed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi was brought Monday to a courthouse to face trial over protester deaths, raising fears of renewed violence four months after the army toppled him.
Morsi’s supporters, battered by a bloody and sweeping police crackdown, accuse the army-installed government of fabricating the charges and have called for protests against the military.
Morsi was flown in by helicopter to the police academy in the capital where the trial is being convened, and 14 co-defendants were also present, said Cairo security chief Osama al-Soghayar.
“His helicopter landed ... The others were driven to the court during curfew hours” put in place since bloody unrest in August, said another official.
Outside the court complex, dozens of Morsi supporters were seen brandishing posters of the Islamist and anti-military signs.
Morsi, who the army has held at a secret location since his July 3 ouster, is accused along with the other 14 of inciting the murder of protesters outside the presidential palace in December 2012.
The charges against Morsi could lead to the death penalty or life in prison.
Egypt is on high alert for the trial, with 20,000 policemen to be deployed and authorities saying they are ready to deal with any violence.
With more than 1,000 people killed since Morsi’s overthrow and thousands of Islamists arrested, hopes for a political settlement between the Islamists and interim government are slim.
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
