A main defendant in Battle of Camel trial claims innocence despite video evidence

Controversial lawyer Mortada Mansour denies involvement in the Battle of the Camel as video footage incriminating him is introduced to the court case Tuesday

In the second session of the Battle of the Camel trial Tuesday, video evidence, some of which incriminates the controversial lawyer Mortada Mansour, was introduced to the court case. Mansour, however, insists on pleading not guilty.
Some of the videos showed Mansour calling on protesters in Mostafa Mahmoud Square, where pro-Mubarak demonstrators used to congregate during the 18-day uprising, to move toward Tahrir Square in order to assault those who instigated the revolt.
A phone conversation between ex-parliamentarian Mansour and TV presenter Amr Adib was also among the evidence. The former said when he phoned in: “The country is on fire Amr; there are Jews in Tahrir Square, an organised foreign army and American tents. Some people are creating strife in this country.”
Mansour stressed that he is not guilty of all the charges, saying that he “loves” Egypt and would never do anything to harm his country.
Furthermore, the lawyer of former minister of manpower Aisha Abdel Hadi denied that his client had ever possessed a weapon as claimed.
Other videos consist of shots of the Battle of the Camel, which took place on 2 February and stands out as one of the worst acts of organised intimidation during the January 25 Revolution.
What's more, some footage showing the withdrawal of Central Security Forces from the streets on 28 January's Friday of Rage was also brought in as evidence.
With one group on horses and camels wielding swords and cudgels and another throwing Molotov cocktails and sniping from elevated vantage points, the hired thugs killed and injured hundreds of peaceful protesters.
The revolutionary youth, however, stood their ground and capitalised on their numerical advantage to chase off and even capture some of the murderous intruders.