Egypt court adjourns Morsi trial

The Egyptian government says ex-president Mohamed Morsi won't appear at the opening of his trial. Source: AAP

AN Egyptian court has adjourned to January 8 the trial of ousted president Mohamed Morsi over his alleged involvement in the death of protesters during his year in power.

Morsi, in his first public appearance since the army deposed him in July, rejected the proceedings and told the court on Monday: "I am Dr Mohamed Morsi, the president of the republic... This court is illegal," a correspondent attending the trial reported.

He slammed his overthrow by the army and called on military leaders to face trial.

"This was a military coup. The leaders of the coup should be tried. A coup is treason and a crime," Morsi said.

Defiantly, Morsi arrived in court wearing a suit rather than the customary white detention clothes.

Two of his co-defendants, senior Muslim Brotherhood leaders Essam al-Erian and Mohammed al-Beltagui, chanted "Down with military rule" at the start of the hearing, and applauded Morsi when he walked in.

Morsi came to power in June 2012 in the country's first free elections, made possible by a popular uprising a year earlier.

He and 14 others are charged with inciting the deaths of protesters outside the presidential palace in December 2012.

They face the death penalty or a life sentence.

The trial is seen as a test for Egypt's new authorities, who have come under fire for their heavy-handedness.

With more than 1000 people killed since Morsi's overthrow and thousands of Islamists arrested, hopes for a political settlement are slim.

Amnesty International's Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui said Morsi should be granted a "fair trial, including the right to challenge the evidence against him in court".

"Failing to do so would further call into question the motives behind his trial."

But analysts believe the political nature of the trial will drive its outcome.

"This is first and foremost a political trial and an important one. There is zero chance of it being free and fair," said Hamid. "The trial is a clear reminder of a polarised Egyptian society at this moment of time."

Morsi was catapulted from the underground offices of the long-banned Muslim Brotherhood to become Egypt's first democratically elected president in June 2012.

His victory was made possible by the 2011 uprising that toppled autocratic president Hosni Mubarak.

But his stint at the helm was marred by political turmoil, deadly clashes and a crippling economic crisis.

In November 2012, Morsi decreed himself sweeping powers, prompting opponents to accuse him of failing the ideals of the revolution.

It was a turning point that launched the worst polarisation in Egypt's recent history.

A month later, deadly clashes erupted outside the presidential palace between the Islamist's supporters and opponents. Morsi is facing allegations of inciting that violence.

Accusing police of failing to protect the president, the Brotherhood called on its supporters to confront the protesters. At least seven people were killed in the clashes that erupted on December 5 last year.

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