Egypt's Morsi stands trial over espionage

CAIRO. Deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, facing charges of espionage and conspiring to commit acts of terror along with former parliamentary speaker has begun a new trial . The charges are one of four prosecutions that the Islamist former president will face. Mr Morsi was brought to Cairos police academy on Sunday morning by helicopter from the Burj al-Arab prison in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria,where he is being held. Mr Morsi was ousted by the military last July following mass street protests against his rule. Other suspects accused alongside with Morsi include Muslim Brotherhood supreme guide Mohamed Badei and his two deputies Khairat al-Shater and Mahmoud Ezzat, former parliament speaker Saad al-Katatni and others. They are accused of collaborating with foreign bodies, spying for the international organisation of the Muslim Brotherhood, its military wing and the (Palestinian) Hamas movement to carry out terrorist acts in Egypt. The former Islamist president also faces other lawsuits over charges of jailbreak, inciting violence and murdering against protesters outside the presidential palace in early December 2012. He will also face trial over insulting the judiciary, but the date hasnt been set yet. The hearing is held at the Police Academy complex in eastern Cairo, where a heavy security presence stands guard. Security forces were deployed around the academy to prevent any attempts by the Muslim Brotherhood elements to disrupt the trial proceedings, If found guilty, Morsi will face a death penalty.