Almost 300 Egyptian Detainees face Trials

Almost 300 Egyptians face trial for having taken part in anti-junta demonstrations in 2011.

Investigating judges sent 293 Egyptians to trial on Monday for allegedly ‘resisting authorities, damaging public property and carrying knives and fire bombs’ during a three-week sit-in in November and December of last year.

The defendants also included 24 minors will face trial in a juvenile court. 

The particular protests against the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) started in Cairo and several other cities on November 19 and continued into December. The Egyptian security forces attacked the protesters, and as a result, 14 people were killed and hundreds were injured. 

The SCAF took over Egypt after the ouster of former Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak in a popular revolution that started in February 2011. 

The military rulers, who have reneged on their previous promises of relinquishing power, say they will hand over the rule after the announcement of the results of a presidential election in June. 

A first round of the election will be held over two days on May 23 and 24, while a run-off would take place on June 16 and 17 if necessary. Final results are expected on June 21, according to MENA.