![One of the senior political figures of the Muslim Brotherhood Mohamed Beltagy is seen behind the cage during the trial over the breaking up the Rabaa Al-Adawiyyah protests, at the police academy in Cairo, Egypt on December 10, 2016 [Moustafa Elshemy / Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/20161210_2_20616279_16846791.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The Cairo Criminal Court sentenced the Muslim Brotherhood leader, Mohamed Beltagy, for one year in prison with penal labour for insulting the court during the hearing. Beltagy is on trial for “breaking into prisons”.
Beltagy was charged with insulting the court, when after he sarcastically laughed, which the court considered to be a violation of the court’s dignity.
Beltagy’s lawyer apologised for the defendant’s laughter and went on to say that the defendant’s statement was not directed at the court as a mockery or a derogation. He repeated his apology and asked the court to listen to the defendant regarding this matter.
The re-trial of the defendants comes after the Court of Cassation overturned the sentences issued by the Criminal Court on November 2017.
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