Chaos at Egypt Party Chief Trial
28/06/2005| IslamWeb
The opening of Egyptian opposition politician Ayman Nour's trial has been disrupted, with his supporters confronting police near the courthouse.
Eyewitnesses said there was confusion as the crowds, waving orange banners and shouting slogans, were blocked from entering the court.
Mr Nour himself was unable to take his seat in the dock for an hour.
The politician denies charges that he forged signatures on his party's registration documents.
Mr Nour, who leads the liberal opposition party al-Ghad (Tomorrow), is seen as one of Egypt's leading pro-democracy figures.
He plans to challenge incumbent Hosni Mubarak in the country's first multi-candidate presidential elections, due in September.
He says his trial is politically motivated.
'Circus'
Mr Nour's supporters stood on the court steps with banners saying "Justice for Ayman Nour" and "Change Now", as security guards blocked their way.
Trucks full of riot police stood by.
The party leader was also unable to enter the courtroom.
Security guards said that while he was not barred from entering, he could not take his supporters with him.
"What is happening now proves to us that we are not in a court, but in a circus run by the state security apparatus," the Associated Press news agency quoted him as saying.
Mr Nour later appeared in the dock with six other defendants. He claims to have never met five of them.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Mr Nour was released on bail on 12 March after six weeks in prison over the alleged forgery case.
His detention without charge raised concern in Washington, which called for his release.
If he is convicted, he will be disqualified from the presidential race.
Last week, Mr Nour was one of a number of opposition activists who met US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
On her recent visit, Ms Rice criticised Cairo for cracking down on dissenters and called on the authorities to ensure the upcoming election was free and fair.
PHOTO CAPTION