CAIRO: Eight workers stood before a military court Sunday after protesting poor safety conditions, a spokesman for the Center for Trade Union and Workers' Services (CTUWS) said. The first hearing lasted for 10 minutes and the defense team of the Helwan Engineering Industries Company workers was denied the right to receive a photocopy of the investigations report, Adel Zakariya told Daily News Egypt on Monday. On Aug. 3, eight workers were arrested for leading a sit-in to protest an accident where a nitrogen tube went off inside the factory, killing one colleague and injuring many others. The workers were accused of refraining from work and assaulting a public official, the chairman of the board. “Another worker was charged with unveiling military secrets after he attempted to contact the media to expose the situation since they work for an army factory,” Zakaria explained. “There has been a media blackout about the incident and the trial,” he added. On Aug. 14, the military prosecution ordered them to be held in custody pending investigation.” Afterwards, they were held on remand for four more days. However, the workers were suddenly referred to the military court on Aug. 17. The trial was adjourned until Wednesday. Military trials are closed to media and there was no official comment on the proceedings. Any sentence by a military court cannot be appealed. The facility located south of Cairo, also known as Military Factory 99, is one of Egypt's largest army factories. Workers there make and assemble warplanes. –Additional reporting by AP
