CAIRO: Egypt's former President Hosni Mubarak's trial has been postponed as a decision over whether to change the judges presiding over the case is pending. Accoring to lawyers representing the families of those killed in the Egyptian uprising in January and February, the trial has been postponed awaiting a decision. Mubarak was scheduled to be inside the court on Sunday to continue the case against him, which includes ordering the killing of Egyptian citizens. At least 850 people were killed during the 18 days of protests that led to the ousting of the aging dictator. The lawyers of the victims' families have repeatedly called on the changes of the judges panel after claiming it did not give enough time for lawyers to question the head of the country's ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi. According to the lawyers, the current panel led by Ahmed Rifaat will either adjourn the trial and remand the defendants in prison, or the trial will be postponed without holding the session. “The case is suspended until a decision is reached on Refaat,” said Hassan Abul Enen, a lawyer representing the families, in comments published by Reuters news agency. On Saturday, daily al-Shorouk newspaper reported that three judges that had been appointed to decide on the lawyers' request to change the current panel had resigned and it is likely the trial will not continue until a new panel is decided and a decision taken. BM
