Egypt abandons NGO activists' trial: TV
The Egyptian trial against activists working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) over alleged illegal funding has been abandoned, state television reports.
The proposed trial had caused a rift between Egypt and Western powers backing some of the NGOs, such as the United States and Germany.
The presiding judge, Mohammed Shukri, made a formal request to renounce the case, without citing a reason, according to the TV report on Wednesday.
His decision was made after Egyptian authorities reportedly asked him to drop a travel ban imposed on the 43 activists, including 19 Americans and two Germans, involved in the case, said local media citing unnamed sources.
more: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/egypt-abandons-ngo-activists-trial-tv-20120229-1u3jq.html
Judges in Egypt's NGO trial pull out
Lead judge says court felt "uneasiness" as Washington exerts pressure on Cairo over case involving 16 US citizens.
All three judges in Egypt's trial of 43 NGO workers have pulled out of the case, according to a court official.
The defendants, including 16 US citizens, are charged with using illegal foreign funds to foment unrest that has roiled Egypt over the past year.
The non-governmental organisations flatly deny the charges, and US officials have hinted foreign aid to Egypt could be in jeopardy because of the case.
Mohammed Shoukry, the lead judge in the case, said on Tuesday that "the court felt uneasiness" in handling the case, according to a court official. He did not elaborate.
The trial has so far only made it as far as its opening session, and would need to be restarted with a new panel of judges.
more: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/02/2012228222228344573.html
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