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| Africa North |
| Trial opens in deadly Egypt sectarian clashes |
| 2011-07-04 |
| CAIRO — The trial began on Sunday of 48 people accused of involvement in deadly Muslim-Christian clashes in May that left 12 people dead, a judicial official said. A new dock was created in the courtroom in order to separate the Muslim and Christian defendants, as security forces surrounded the courthouse and families of the defendants staged protests outside. The 28 defendants present — the search continues for the 20 others — all pleaded not guilty to charges ranging from premeditated murder and inciting sectarian tension to harming public security. The trial was adjourned to September 4, state news agency MENA said. The clashes on May 7 in the working-class neighbourhood of Imbaba, an overcrowded maze of residential buildings and shops, left 12 dead and 52 injured. Muslims had attacked the Coptic Saint Mena church in Imbaba in a bid to free a Christian woman they alleged was being held against her will because she wanted to convert to Islam. Copts scuffled with soldiers, blaming them for not doing enough to stop the fighting. The clashes prompted hundreds Coptic Christians to hold a sit-in outside the state television headquarters to demand protection. That sit-in was attacked a week later, sparking further clashes that left dozens injured, raising fears of widespread sectarian unrest. |
| Posted by:Steve White |