CAIRO — The trial of Egypt's ousted Islamist president on charges of inciting the murder of protesters was adjourned Wednesday until next month, after security officials said heavy fog grounded the helicopter meant to bring Mohammed Morsi to court.
Two defense lawyers in the case of Morsi, 13 leading Muslim Brotherhood members and an Islamist accused the government of trying to keep the toppled president out of the public eye ahead of a coming constitutional referendum. They also said authorities denied Morsi visits from his family and his defense team.
"The decision was inspired by the political circumstances — which require that he doesn't appear," defense lawyer Osama el-Helw said. Morsi's "appearance will inspire his supporters."
Wednesday's hearing was to be Morsi's second court appearance since his ouster in a popularly-backed military coup on July 3. In his first appearance, he insisted he was still the country's legitimate president and challenged the legitimacy of the court, regularly interrupting the judges and prosecutors.