Trial Of Egypts Morsi Could Fuel Political Tensions

Former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi will face trial on November 4 on charges of inciting killings at protests, possibly fuelling political tensions and raising further concern in the country's western allies.

Morsi has been held in a secret location since his overthrow on July 3. The trial will be the Islamist leader's first public appearance since then.

The ousted former president's trial could further inflame tensions between his party, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the army-backed government and deepen the political instability that has decimated tourism and investment in the most populous Arab state.

The charges relate to the deaths of about a dozen people in clashes outside the presidential palace in December 2012 after Morsi enraged protesters with a decree expanding his powers.

Cairo's western allies had hoped the uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule would turn the region's biggest country into a democratic success story.

The U.S. and European Union had wanted an inclusive political process in Egypt, which has a peace treaty with Israel and controls the Suez Canal waterway between Europe and Asia.

Security sources said Morsi was expected to be tried at a Cairo police institute near Tora, Egypt's most notorious prison, which held Mubarak until he was moved to house arrest in August.

The sources said authorities want to keep Morsi in a secluded area for security reasons and to avoid protests.

Morsi supporters and security forces clashed again on Sunday (October 6), one of the bloodiest days since the military took power, with state media reporting 57 people dead and 391 wounded.

The United States is cutting most military aid to Egypt except to promote counter-terrorism, security in the Sinai Peninsula that borders Israel, and other such priorities, a U.S. official said on Tuesday (October 8).

Presented by Adam Justice