Muslim Brotherhood leader appears in Cairo court for the first time

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/09/muslim-brotherhood-leader-appears-cairo-court-badie

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The Muslim Brotherhood's leader turned on his accusers on Monday 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 on Monday when police fired teargas 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.

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.

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 Islamist politician Mohamed el-Beltagi - who is charged in the same case - 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 11 February.

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