Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

The press reported on the Supreme State Security Court’s session in the trial of the suspects of Naj‘ Hammādī. The next session was scheduled for May 16.

 

The session witnessed a physical quarrel between Nabīh al-Wahsh, the defense lawyer for the suspects, and George Subhī, a legal representative for the victims of the attacks. As has been the case from the beginning of the trial sessions, the media was not allowed to attend the sessions. The session also witnessed a change in the jury; Mu‘awwad Muhammad Mahmūd joined the jury

 

The three suspects once again denied having committed the January 6 attacks, which resulted in the killing of six Copts and the Muslim soldier who was assigned to guard the church. [F detailed information about the Coptic Christmas attacks in Naj‘ Hammādī see AWR 2010, weeks 2 and three.].

 

The suspects’ defense expressed their dissatisfaction at the postponement of the trial.

 

Al-Ahrār of April 22, 2010 reported that Pope Shenouda III had declared that the case of the massacre of Naj‘ Hammādī is not local but international, because the whole world is followingthe trial.

 

Lawyer Mamdūh Ramzī stated that Pope Shenouda had expressed his discontentment at the latest decision of the Court of Qena to prevent the victims’ defense from attending the trial sessions.