CAIRO: The Egyptian Judges' Club, chaired by Judge Ahmed el-Zand called to try those who stormed, assailed, and closed the courts Saturday. “Those people insulted and assailed judges. The Judges' Club holds permanent meetings to protect judges and trial courts,” said the club's spokesman, Mahmoud Helm el-Sharif. Sharif warned of escalating measures from judges if their protection is not provided. The decision was taken after an escalating wave of protests against the Judiciary Authority Law by lawyers. The protesting lawyers closed courts and prevented the judges to do their duties. The dispute between judges and lawyers surrounds Article 18 of the Judiciary Authority. Article 18 provides that that judges have the authority to punish lawyers who violate the courts' system with imprisonment, regardless of the lawyer's immunity. The Judges' Club will hold an emergency meeting on Oct. 28 to seek all ways to confront recurring attacks on the courts and thuggery inside trials. The meeting will also tackle the supervision process for parliamentary elections. The meeting will be attended by head of the High Judiciary Council and head of the Court of Cassation, Hossam el-Gherbani, Egyptian Minister of Justice Mohamed el-Gendy, and representatives of the ruling military council. The Club formed an operation room to receive the complaints and demands from the judges and prosecutors.
