The Muslim Brotherhood’s leader turned on his accusers yesterday when he appeared in court for the first time since he was arrested following the army’s overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.
“Why aren’t you investigating the killing of my son, and the burning of my house and the group’s offices?” Mohamed Badie asked of the judge, referring to his 38-year-old son killed in August, when the crackdown on the group was at its bloodiest.
Violence erupted again yesterday when police fired tear gas at Morsi supporters protesting at Al-Azhar University, scene of frequent demonstrations against the army-backed government.
The protesters set ablaze three police vehicles, a witness said, and 58 students were arrested, an official said.
Why aren’t you investigating the killing of my son, and the burning of my house and the group’s offices?
Badie, the Brotherhood’s general guide, said the Islamist movement had perpetrated no violence, as his trial began at a police academy where Morsi went on trial last month. They were his first public remarks since his arrest on August 20.
He faces charges that include inciting violence during a Brotherhood sit-in at Cairo University in mid-July.
The security forces have piled pressure on the Brotherhood, Egypt’s best organised party, as the army-backed authorities advance a transition plan expected to yield presidential and parliamentary elections next year. The next step is a referendum on a new constitution, expected late this month or in January.
Since Morsi’s fall, the government has verbally equated the Brotherhood with al- Qaeda, accusing both of terrorism. The Brotherhood formally renounced violence decades ago. Most Brotherhood leaders have been arrested since the army deposed Morsi on July 3 after mass protests against his rule. Morsi is accused of inciting the killing of protesters outside the presidential palace a year ago. His trial began on November 4.
Badie appeared with Islamist politicians including Essam el-Erian and Mohamed el-Beltagi who are charged in the same case.
After the army toppled Morsi, Badie told supporters: “Our bare chests are stronger than bullets”.
Morsi’s removal opened the bloodiest chapter in Egypt’s modern peacetime history. Security forces killed hundreds of his supporters, while some 200 soldiers and policemen have died, many in attacks by Islamist militants in the Sinai peninsula.
Badie’s hearing was repeatedly interrupted by chanting from the cage where defendants appear in Egyptian courts.
“Down with military rule,” shouted Beltagi, leading the others in chants against the generals whom the Brotherhood accuses of stealing power from a freely elected leader.
Reflecting on how Egypt’s army commanders had turned against the Brotherhood, Badie said he had once prayed at the Saudi embassy in Cairo with the military council that ran the country until Morsi’s election win in June 2012.
“Everybody respected the Brotherhood,” he said.
An army source said Badie appeared to be referring to an event at the Saudi mission during the Islamic month of Ramadan. An army representative had attended, in line with protocol. Badie’s trial was adjourned until February 11.
In Qalyubia province north of Cairo, a court sentenced three Brotherhood supporters to life in prison for attacking security forces, possessing firearms and terrorising citizens.