Egypt: Islamist to be tried for insulting judges

Mahdi Akef, 85, arrested in government crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood affiliates

By AP 12 October 2013, 5:07 pm

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Supporters of Egypt's ousted president Mohammed Morsi chant slogans in Cairo, Egypt, during a demonstration earlier this month (photo credit: AP/Hassan Ammar)

Security officials in Egypt say a former leader of the Muslim Brotherhood has been referred to trial on charges of insulting the judiciary.

The officials said 85-year-old Mahdi Akef was referred to a criminal court Saturday. No date for the trial has been set.

Akef was arrested in July as part of a wide government crackdown against the Brotherhood following the July 3 ouster of President Mohammed Morsi. Akef already faces charges of allegedly inciting violence.

The new case comes from when Akef called the judiciary “sick” and “corrupt” in April during the height of a power struggle between Morsi and the judiciary. He later tried to distance himself from the remarks.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to journalists.