Egypt’s ousted President Mohammed Morsi on Tuesday was flown by helicopter from prison to court, placed in a glass-encased metal cage and forced to stand on trial for charges of toppling the country’s government and destroying its structure.
Nineteen members of the Muslim Brotherhood were on trial, too, for similar charges, The Associated Press reported. More than 100 other members of the group are still being sought.
Authorities accuse Mr. Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood backers of plotting to “destroy the Egyptian state and its institutions,” AP reported. One lawyer for the Muslim Brotherhood said those heading up the trial seemed intent on “denigrating” Mr. Morsi, AP reported.
The case stemmed from 2011, when more than 20,000 inmates at Egyptian prisons — including Mr. Morsi — escaped their cells and joined in the uprising against then-President Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted from office.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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