Egypt suspends 56 judges for signing pro-Morsi statement

The disciplinary council of Egyptian judges yesterday suspended 56 judges for signing a statement supporting ousted President Mohamed Morsi during the Rabaa Al-Adawiya protests, state-run Al-Ahram newspaper reported.

Two weeks ago, Judge Mohamed Shereen Fahmy referred 60 judges to the disciplinary council accusing them of signing the statement, which was recited during the Rabaa sit-in on July 24 last year.

Of the 60 judges, three have resigned from their positions and the fourth has passed away, a judicial source reported.

Fahmy demanded the judges’ suspension from the judiciary. He also accused the judge who read the statement, Mahmoud Mohieddin, of fraud. The suspended judges will either be given early retirement or sacked.

The judges were among tens of thousands of Egyptians who set up protests in different areas in Egypt, including Rabaa Al-Adawiya Square in support of Morsi in late June 2013.

The protests were set up following the military coup against Morsi on July 3 and remained until they were forcibly dispersed on August 14, when thousands were killed, wounded or arrested.