CAIRO: The trial of Al-Dostour editor Ibrahim Eissa was adjourned Wednesday until Jan. 2, 2008. Eissa is accused of publishing articles in August questioning the health of President Hosni Mubarak which, the prosecution claims, damaged the Egyptian economy by compromising foreign investor confidence. During the previous hearing, held on Nov. 15, defense witnesses had unanimously refuted these claims. In Wednesday's hearing the court considered the defense team's submission that the case should be heard at the Galaa Misdemeanors Court rather than the New Cairo Criminal Court. The case had been transferred to New Cairo after the second hearing, which some observers allege was an attempt to discourage the media from making the relatively difficult trek to New Cairo, which lies on the outskirts of the capital. Hafez Abu Seada, head of the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights, told Daily News Egypt "the court disagreed with the defence team over the issue of where the hearing should take place. The judge opposed our submission that it should be heard in Galaa but ultimately the matter will be decided by the Administrative Court. The Administrative Court will issue its decision on Dec. 8.
