To be questioned THREE judges are to be referred to a judicial investigation after making what were described as harmful comments to the media about the Egyptian military. Mona El-Nahhas reports. Justice Minister Abdel-Aziz El-Guindi decided this week to refer the judges -- Ashraf Nada, chief justice of Beni Suef Appeals Court, Hassan El-Naggar, chairman of Zagazig Judges Club, and Alaa Shawqi, head of a criminal court -- to a ministry investigation. They were accused of "harming the image of the military institution and the military judiciary" by talking to the media about the necessity of trying civilians before civilian courts instead of the military judiciary. The judges reportedly did not receive permission from the Supreme Judiciary Council before talking to Al-Jazeera Mubasher TV. The justice minister's decision was made in the wake of a memorandum submitted by the military prosecutor-general, asking that an investigation be conducted with the judges. Judge El-Naggar was quoted as saying that his comments stressed that the civil judiciary is the defender of legitimacy and freedoms for people. He denied meaning any harm to the military institution. According to judge Ahmed Mekki, deputy chairman of the Cassation Court, there is no single article in the law that obliges judges to take permission before talking to the media. Trying civilians before civil courts is also a right guaranteed by the constitution. Proof, please THE MILITARY prosecution on Monday asked TV broadcaster Reem Maged and blogger Hossam El-Hamalawi for proof of military police violations. Maged had hosted El-Hamalawi in her programme on ONTV in which he accused the military police of torturing activists. Following the show the two were promptly summoned by the military prosecution. Protests were held by supporters of El-Hamalawi and Maged who believed they would be interrogated and charged rather than asked to give evidence. Brotherhood TV THE FIRST Muslim Brotherhood television channel, Egypt 25, will soon be launched. The MB is also planning to take part in the cinema business and is currently setting up a production company. Under Hosni Mubarak, the Brotherhood was kept largely in check but is enjoying new-found freedoms in the wake of Mubarak's ouster. Prison breakout foiled PRISONERS in Abu Zaabal attempted a breakout on Tuesday after setting fire to cells and trying to take advantage of the guards' attempts to put out the flames by rushing to breach the walls of the prison. Police and military forces eventually brought the situation under control. Hundreds of inmates escaped jail during the 25 January Revolution. Some are still at large.
