Egyptian Muslim brotherhood supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi attack an Egyptian satellite channel CBC microbus outside of Police Academy where Morsi’s hearing took place on the outskirts of Cairo on Monday. — AFP



Renad Ghanem

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH – Egyptian expatriates expressed mixed views on the trial of ousted president Mohamed Morsi, who appeared angry and repeatedly interrupted the court session on Monday, prompting a judge to adjourn the trial to Jan. 8.



“This trial is illegitimate,” shouted Morsi, who was dressed in a dark suit and who state media said had refused to wear prison clothes.



Morsi travelled to the heavily guarded courthouse from an undisclosed location by helicopter.



Morsi, 62, who broke out of jail in former president Hosni Mubarak’s final days in power, found himself behind bars again facing charges of inciting violence that could carry the death penalty.



Mahmoud Hejazi, an Egyptian engineer who lives in Riyadh, believes that Morsi is a criminal and must receive the harshest punishment.



“I expect no mercy for Morsi. He caused the death of thousands of people,” said Hejazi, adding that he trusts the Egyptian justice system.



“Even though I’m against Mubarak, I respect him for how he appeared, respected the law and the rules of the court.  Morsi didn’t do that when he refused to wear the prison uniform like any other prisoner,” said Hejazi.



Zahraa Ezzat, an Egyptian who lives in Dammam, believes that Morsi is still the legitimate president of Egypt.



“The trial is illegal, because Morsi is still the legitimate president of Egypt, and the ones who should be tried are the coup leaders,” said Zahraa, adding that most of the charges are fabricated.



Amr Sherbiny, an Egyptian salesman who lives in Jeddah, said he is worried that if there is any lacuna in the evidence against Morsi he will be set free.



“We’ve witnessed the violence against innocent people and against police by Morsi supporters. Former minister of interior Ahmed Gamal Al-Din said Morsi ordered them to kill the Egyptian people outside the palace and when the minister refused, he got rid of him, and asked his supporters to kill the protesters,” said Amr.



“Morsi committed many crimes throughout the one year he governed Egypt, and it’s hard for Egyptians to forgive him,” he said.