The military court adjourned the trial of residents of the island of Qorsaya for an additional two days on Sunday. The postponement was made to allow more time to present documents and hear witnesses from both the defence and the prosecution.
The defendants are being tried after living on land, an island that is part of the Giza Governorate, the Egyptian army claims belongs to them. While recent months have seen a decline in military trials, the Qorsaya trial falls under the category because of elements of resisting authority and alleged violence against the army, said Dalia Moussa of the Egyptian Centre for Social and Economic Rights (ECSER). This use of the military justice system to try civilians would be permitted under the new proposed constitution under Article 198.
“These military trials will not have just outcomes unless the public applies pressure,” said Moussa, who cited outcomes of military trials of workers in military factories that hinged on the public’s attention and pressure.
Defendants came to court on Sunday with a number of injuries, including Saber Abdo, who had a broken leg.
Four groups including ECSER, along with the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), and the Nadeem Center represent the defendants.
The army attempted to forcefully evict residents of Qorsaya in November, claiming the land belonged to them. The clashes between the two sides resulted in the death of Mohamed Abdel Mawgoud Ahmed, who was shot. At least eight additional Qorsaya residents were injured in the violence.
Residents claim that the State Council ruled them eligible to live on the island in 2007, but the army has stated that the grounds are officially registered to it.
