Egypt: Call for El Baradei to give court evidence

A lawyer for Egypt’s former interior minister asked the court yesterday to have Nobel Peace Prize laureate and pro-reform leader Mohamed ElBaradei testify as a witness in his client’s defence.

Mohammed el-Gendi, a lawyer for Habib el-Adly, said ElBaradei could testify that security forces protected him and ensured he arrived home safely during the most violent day of the uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak.

El-Adly is charged along with Mubarak and four police commanders of complicity in the killing of protesters during the 18-day revolt last January and February. They could face the death penalty if convicted. Mubarak and his two sons are facing separate charges of corruption.