CAIRO: Defendants in Egypt's “battle of the camel” case pleaded not guilty on Monday and then the court was adjourned until Monday. They are accused of conspiring and organizing the famed attack on protesters during the 18 day uprising. The court also ordered the defendants to remain imprisoned. The “camel fight” dates back to February 2 and 3, which saw tens killed and hundreds injured after hired thugs stormed Tahrir Square riding camels and horses where thousands were protesting. The men, who were armed with swords, iron batons, wooden sticks, knives and other weapons, randomly attacked and chased protesters around downtown Cairo. The court examined the evidence of 9 CDs with pictures on them, and a report from a audio expert analyst. Investigators have also linked leading members from the deposed National Democratic Party, ousted President Hosni Muabark's former party, along with a number of former ministers and former members of parliament and accused them of paying the men to launch the attack. Among the 25 defendants is Sawfat al-Sharif, former speaker of parliament and former media minister and the NDP secretary general, Ahmed Fathy Souror, former head of parliament, former minister of military production and police generals. BM
