Egyptian court adjourns trial of 68 defendants, including Qaeda leader's brother, to Monday

The Cairo Criminal Court has in its session today delayed to Monday the trial of 68 terrorists, including Mohamed el Zawahri, brother of Al Qaeda leader Ayman el Zawahri, on charges of forming a terrorist group.

The defendants are accused of plotting to attack state facilities, the Armed Forces, police and citizens with the aim to create chaos and jeopardize social peace.

Investigations revealed that Zawahri had made use of political changes in Egypt and resumed his terrorist activities in the country.

It turned out that he formed an extremist group and supplied its members with firearms to attack state institutions if protests against deposed president Mohamed Morsi escalated.

According to the probe, the terrorist group dispatched a number of its members to join Al Qaeda militants in operations in Syria.

Twenty-five of the defendants admitted to forming and managing the terrorist group with the aim to suspend the constitution, halt work at state institutions, attack personal freedoms and harm national unity.

The prosecution statement also included accusations for the defendants of attempted murder of a number of policemen and possessing explosives and firearms.

Arrest warrants had been issued for 50 of the defendants, who are currently held in provisional detention.