Egyptian court postpones trial of former Brotherhood leader

An Egyptian criminal court has postponed the hearing of former Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohammed Mahdi Akef until February 11 next year. Akef had been in detention on remand for, it is alleged, insulting Egypt’s judiciary, judicial system and judges.

Judge Tharwat Hammad, appointed by the justice minister to investigate complaints against Akef, said that the case against the former Brotherhood leader could go ahead. He dismissed his allegations that the judiciary is corrupt.

A number of judges filed complaints against Akef following remarks he made to Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jareeda before the military coup, which took place on July 3, in which he made his allegations of corruption. The journalist involved will visit Egypt to present his side of the story to the court.