MB’s former leaders in ‘el-Istiqamah mosque clashes’ retrial postponed

CAIRO – 2 July 2017: Giza Criminal Court postponed on Saturday retrial of outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group former leaders, who were all involved in what is known as the “el-Istiqamah Mosque” case to October 1.

The court postponed the retrial session after requests from defense team of the defendants.

Among defendants involved in the case were Mohamed Badie, Mohamed el-Beltagy, Safwat Hegazy and Essam el-Erian.

The defendants were charged of belonging to an illegal group targeting the state security, damaging state’s public and private properties, as well as murder attempts and resisting authorities.

The court has previously handed the defendants in June 2013 sentences that ranged between life and death penalties.

In 2013, clashes near al-Istiqamah mosque took place leaving a number of people killed. Investigation proved responsibility for shootings occurred during the clashes. However, the defendants appealed the sentences in which the court accepted in September 2016 the retrial of the defendants in front of new judges except for Erian.

Egyptian government declared Muslim Brotherhood group as terrorist group in 2013 and banned its activities. Following the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, a number of violent clashes occurred between his supporters and security forces that resulted serious damages, and killings for both sides.