The trial involving ousted President Mohammed Morsi began Monday in "a charged atmosphere," Russia Today reported. Morsi, who had not been in public since June 3, has been charged for the incitement of killing protesters "who massed outside the presidential palace in December 2012 and demanded that he call off a referendum on a new Islamist-drafted constitution," The Associated Press reported.
Prosecutors say that his incitement led to the deaths of 10 protesters. If convicted, Morsi could face the death penalty. Other members of the Muslim Brotherhood have also been charged. Morsi's appearance marked his first since a July 3 military coup had removed him from power.
His Islamist supporters sought to disrupt the court proceedings on Monday, as Morsi was defiant in appearance as he did not wear white prison attire. "Down with military rule," his fellow Muslim Brotherhood members chanted for him, according to reports.
"What is going on now is a cover for a military coup. I warn everybody. ... I wish that the Egyptian judiciary would not become one day a cover for the military coup," Morsi shouted. "This is not my court. This court, with all due respect, doesn't have jurisdiction over the president. There is a military coup in this country. The leaders of this coup must be brought to trial according to the constitution," Morsi added.
The courtroom proceedings were described as a circus, news reports said.
"At one point a fight broke out between journalists and lawyers," said Russia Today's Bel Trew. "The lawyers of Muhammed Morsi accused the journalists of being paid by the state. One journalist... almost threw his shoe at a lawyer," she added.
The trial comes one day after Secretary of State John Kerry visited the Arab country discussing the needs for transformation to a democratically elected government "that is brought about "through inclusive, free and fair elections."
The military has denied the ouster of Morsi had ever been a coup, rather it acted on the will of the protesters. Morsi's supporters have long accused the military of overturning the results of the elections, news reports said.
Security was increased on Monday for the start of the trial. 53 Muslim Brotherhood members were arrested, and eight people were injured. The summer featured massive violence and arrests, two years after the ouster of Hosni Mubarak.
Morsi's trial has been adjourned until January 8.
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