Middle East News

Egypt postpones ex-interior minister's trial to August 3

Jul 25, 2011, 9:21 GMT

Cairo - The trial of Egypt's former interior minister Habib al-Adli for allegedly ordering the killing of protesters earlier this year was Monday postponed until August 3.

The presiding judge of the court, hearing the high-profile case, said in a session broadcast live on state TV that the case would be merged with another involving former president Hosny Mubarak.

The move means that Mubarak and al-Adli will be tried together on the same charges when that trial starts August 3. Mubarak was toppled in a popular revolt in February, is due to begin on August 3.

Al-Adli and six of his aides, accused of ordering the shooting of protesters during the anti-Mubarak revolt, appeared inside the dock during Monday's brief session.

Protesters, camping out in Al Tahrir Square in central Cairo for more than two weeks, have been pushing for putting Mubarak and officials of the former regime on swift and public trials.

At least 846 people were killed and more than 6,000 were injured during the 18-day uprising against Mubarak, according to a fact-finding commission.