TAMPA, Florida: An Egyptian college student facing federal explosives charges fired his attorney today. The Egyptian government says it will hire him a new one as soon as possible.
Ahmed Abdellatif Sherif Mohamed said last week he wanted to fire John Fitzgibbons, the private attorney hired for him by the Egyptian government. This was amid a dispute between the two over issues that included how much money the attorney was being paid. Fitzgibbons asked to withdraw from the case. US Magistrate Judge Mark Pizzo granted the motion today while scolding the defendant.
Spokesman for the Embassy of Egypt in Washington Karim Haggag says government officials will work with Mohamed to get a lawyer with whom he is satisfied.
Mohamed, 26, has been in jail since August 4th. -AP
