Egyptian court turns down Brotherhood request to disqualify judges

The Cairo Appeals Court turned down a request by the vice president of the Muslim Brotherhood’s political wing, Essam El-Erian, to disqualify two judges in the Ittihadiya case, where ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and 14 other defendants are standing trial, by reason of prejudice.

In his recusal request, El-Erian criticised the fact that one of the judges gave a televised interview in which he commented on the case and indicated his prior decision, which meant he was unable to hear the case objectively. Yesterday’s verdict fined El-Erian 10,000 Egyptian pounds.

El-Erian had requested the disqualification of two judges from Cairo Criminal Court, which led the court to suspend the trial until it reviewed the request. The court said it already held seven sessions and made progress in handling the case.

Cairo Appeals Court is expected to resume hearing the Ittihadiya case within a few days.