Islamist Protesters Deny Head Of High Constitutional Court Entry To Premises

Hundreds of Islamist protesters gathered outside the High Constitutional Court (HCC) have prevented the head of the court, Judge Maher El-Beheiry, from entering the premises Sunday afternoon.

El-Beheiry contacted the police to report the incident but was still unable to enter the court.

Hundreds of pro-Morsi demonstrators gathered at the HCC since Sunday, 2 December, when the coiurt was due to rule on the constitutionality of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the constitution put to a referendum yesterday. It was widely expect that the court would rule the assembly unconstitutional.

A second decision was due on the constitutionality of the Shura Council, the upper house of parliament, which could also have seen it dissolved.

The demonstrations by Islamists surrounding the court led HCC judges to indefinitely suspend the work of the court, citing “pressures” exerted upon judges and the legal process.

The HCC had earlier ruled against the constitutionality of the lower house of parliament, the People’s Assembly, leading to its dissolution.

Ahram