Trial of Ansar al-Sharia militants postponed

The Cairo Criminal Court on Tuesday postponed until Wednesday the trial of 23 defendants of the so-called 'Ansar al Sharia Brigades'.

The defendants face charges of murdering an 12 policemen, attempted murder of nine others, possessing firearms and manufacturing explosives.

The court delayed the trial to continue examining exhibits seized with the defendants.

Investigators said that defendant al Sayyed al Sayyed Ata Morsy formed the terrorist group that spread extremist thoughts and perpetrated attacks on military and police personnel, as well as targeting Copts, their places of worship and property.

According to the investigations, the suspect helped the group carry out several terrorist operations, ordered members to fight in Syria, trained them on making bombs and provided them with shelters.