Egypt - Morsi appears in court

Trial adjourned as Morsi claims case illegitimate

Deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has told a court in Cairo the case against him is illegitimate as he remains president.

Radio NZ,

5 November, 2013

Mr Morsi and 14 other Muslim Brotherhood figures face charges of inciting the killing of protesters outside the presidential palace in 2012. Mr Morsi was ousted by the military in July this year after protests against his rule.

As he entered the courtroom, Mr Morsi refused to remove his blue suit and put on the required white prison uniform, and, when asked to give his name, said he was Egypt's legitimate president. "You have no right to conduct a trial into presidential matters," he said.

The judge twice temporarily halted proceedings before adjourning the case until January.

Ousted president Mohamed Morsi (centre) arrives in court .

AFP / EGYPTIAN TV

The former president was then flown to Burj al-Arab prison in Alexandria. Security officials told the BBC Mr Morsi was transferred after registration to the prison hospital for a routine medical check.

He is awaiting a medical report which will determine whether he will be sent to a cell or kept at the hospital, they added.

Protests took place outside the court and elsewhere in Cairo.