The Emergency Supreme State Security Court is set to begin on Saturday the trials of 76 suspects accused of attacking the Israeli and Saudi embassies and attempting to break into the Giza Security Directorate on 9 September.
The prosecution charged 76 people of illegal assembly, rioting, attempting to break into the embassy, assaulting on-shift security guards and intentionally torching state possessions.
Meanwhile, dozens of family members of the suspects gathered in front of the court after security prevented them and reporters from entering the court room. The families chanted against the Interior Ministry and the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, repeating slogans including, “Down with the rule of the military!” and “They talked about justice and freedom and then called us thugs.”
The mother of one of the suspects passed out during the demonstration.
On 9 September, hundreds demonstrated outside the building housing the Israeli Embassy and dozens stormed it. Protesters also clashed with security forces outside the nearby Giza Security Directorate and Saudi Embassy. The clashes resulted in two deaths and left many injured.
The riots came after six Egyptian military and security personnel were killed on 18 August by Israeli forces that, Israel said, were pursuing criminals who killed eight Israelis near the southern Israeli town of Eilat earlier that day.
State prosecutors have questioned scores of suspects since 9 September, but have not revealed exactly how many.
Forty of the defendants have criminal records and four are juveniles, MENA reported, adding that an ex-police officer is also accused of instigating violence.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
