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Anger in court as Mubarak trial adjourned again

CAIRO (Reuters) - Families of Egyptians killed in protests that unseated Hosni Mubarak reacted angrily in court on Saturday when a judge trying the former president over the deaths barred their lawyers from taking part in the case. Mubarak, 85, was brought into the caged dock sitting up in a wheelchair, wearing a white gown and sweater and familiar dark aviator glasses. The former air force general appeared alert and in fair health, his hair black and slicked back, his hand on his chin as he listened to the few minutes of procedure.

Egypt court adjourns Mubarak trial, bars lawyers

An Egyptian court in the retrial of fallen dictator Hosni Mubarak for alleged complicity in the killings of protesters barred lawyers in civil cases from the proceedings at a brief session on Saturday. Presiding judge Mahmoud al-Rashidi adjourned the court to Monday, shortly after opening the second hearing in Mubarak's retrial, a criminal case. Mubarak, 85, watched the proceedings while sitting up on a stretcher inside the defendants' cage, shared with seven of his former security commanders and his two sons.

Egypt president says early election calls 'absurd'

Egypt's President Mohamed Morsi rejected as "absurd" opposition calls for an early election less than a year into his term of office, charging in comments published Friday that such calls violated the constitution. "We are a country with a constitution and a legal system," the Islamist Morsi said in the interview with leading state-owned daily Al-Ahram. "We held a free and fair election and to talk of an early presidential election is absurd and illegitimate."

U.S. quietly allows military aid to Egypt despite rights concerns

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State John Kerry quietly acted last month to give Egypt $1.3 billion in U.S. military aid, deciding that this was in the national interest despite Egypt's failure to meet democracy standards. Kerry made the decision well before an Egyptian court this week convicted 43 democracy workers, including 16 Americans, in what the United States regards as a politically motivated case against pro-democracy non-governmental organizations.

Egypt convicts 43, including Americans, in NGO case

By Shaimaa Fayed and Maggie Fick CAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian court convicted 43 Americans, Europeans, Egyptians and other Arabs on Tuesday in a case against democracy promotion groups that plunged U.S.-Egyptian ties into their worst crisis in decades. Judge Makram Awad gave five-year sentences to 27 defendants tried in absentia including 15 U.S. citizens. Another American who stayed for trial was given a two-year sentence but left Egypt on Tuesday on the advice of his lawyers. A German woman was also given a two-year sentence.

Egyptian blogger faces new charges, kept in jail - state media

CAIRO (Reuters) - A prominent Egyptian blogger convicted of insulting Islamist president Mohamed Mursi is facing fresh charges of inciting violence, judicial sources said on Tuesday, in a case that has triggered accusations of a crackdown on dissent. Ahmed Douma was sentenced to six months in jail on Monday for calling Mursi a criminal and a murderer in media interviews.

Kerry slams 'politically-motivated' Egypt NGO trial

US Secretary of State John Kerry voiced concern Tuesday about the sentences handed down by a Cairo court on 43 Egyptian and foreign NGO workers, denouncing it as a "politically-motivated" trial. "This decision runs contrary to the universal principle of freedom of association and is incompatible with the transition to democracy," Kerry said in a statement after the court ordered jail terms of one to five years.

Egypt activist given 6 months for insulting Morsi

An Egyptian opposition youth activist was on Monday sentenced by a Cairo court to six months in prison for insulting President Mohamed Morsi. Ahmed Duma, who was tried for calling Morsi "a criminal and murderer" during a television broadcast, was also ordered to pay a fine of 200 Egyptian pounds (22 euros). The activist blogger can be released on bail of 5,000 pounds (550 euros) pending a decision by an appeals court. Duma is the first anti-Morsi activist to be sentenced to a jail term, according to human rights groups.

Egypt parliament ruled illegal, but to stay on

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court ruled as illegal the law by which the upper house of parliament was elected but said the Muslim Brotherhood-controlled chamber would not be dissolved until a new parliament is in place. Sunday's ruling said the upper house, or Shura Council, would be dissolved once the new parliament convenes. A date has yet to be set for the elections which President Mohamed Mursi said could begin in October.

Egyptian draft law dashes hopes of free civil society: activists

CAIRO (Reuters) - A law drafted by the Egyptian presidency for regulating non-governmental organizations dashes hopes for a free civil society after the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday. President Mohamed Mursi has said the bill submitted to the Muslim Brotherhood-led parliament on Wednesday would liberate a civil society that was stifled by Mubarak, who was toppled by an uprising ignited by democracy activists.
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