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 Brotherhood General Guide Mohamed Badie, 70, denied his group had
perpetrated any violence, speaking from the cage reserved for
defendants where he appeared with other prominent Islamists
including Mohamed el-Beltagi and Essam el-Erian.
"Why aren't you investigating the murder of my son, and the burning
of my house and the groups' offices?" said Badie, referring to his
38-year old son killed in August 17 protests ignited by the violent
dispersal of Brotherhood sit-ins.
The case being heard on Monday relates to violence that flared in
mid-July near a Brotherhood protest camp at Cairo University. Badie
faces charges including inciting the violence.
Mursi's downfall triggered the worst bout of internal strife in
Egypt's modern history.
The security forces killed hundreds of Mursi's supporters during
protests, while lethal attacks on the security forces have become
commonplace since his downfall. Some 200 soldiers and policemen have
been killed. The army deposed Mursi on July 3 following mass
protests against his rule.
Most of the Brotherhood's leadership has been arrested since then.
Mursi is himself standing trial on charges of inciting the killing
of protesters during violence outside the presidential palace a year
ago.
His trial began on November 4.
The defendants interrupted Monday's session with chanting against
generals whom Brotherhood says have stolen power from the country's
first freely elected head of state.
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"Down with military rule," shouted Beltagi, leading the other
defendants in chants.
The men on trial in the case include Bassem Ouda, the former
minister of supplies.
The Brotherhood, Egypt's best organized political force, propelled
Mursi to power last year in the country's first freely contested
presidential election.
Since July the movement has largely been driven underground, with
thousands of its supporters arrested. The group's activities have
also been banned by a court ruling.
Pressing the crackdown, the government will this week begin steps to
take control of 62 schools run by its members, the state-run
al-Ahram newspaper reported.
The defendants flashed the four-finger hand sign symbolizing the
killing of hundreds of Mursi supporters at a protest camp broken up
by the police in August.
(Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
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