Morsi legal team walks out in protest over courtroom cage

Former Egyptian leader facing charges of undermining national security

Former  Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi pictured inside the  cage in the  makeshift courtroom inside a police academy in Cairo where his trial is being held.  Photograph: Almasry Alyoum/EPA
Former Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi pictured inside the cage in the makeshift courtroom inside a police academy in Cairo where his trial is being held. Photograph: Almasry Alyoum/EPA

Defence lawyers for ousted Egyptian leader Mohammed Morsi and other defendants have walked out of court to protest the soundproof glass cage in which defendants are placed, Egypt's state TV says.

It said judge Shaaban el-Shamy ordered a recess after the lawyers left today’s hearing, the first in a case in which Mr Morsi and 35 others are facing charges of conspiring with foreign groups and undermining national security.

The cage was introduced after Mr Morsi and his co-defendants interrupted the proceedings of other court cases by talking over the judge and chanting slogans.

It is fitted to give the judge sole control over whether the defendants can be heard or not when speaking.

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Mr Morsi was ousted by the military following million-strong protests after just one year in power.