Mohamed Seif Eldin-Cairo
The trial of suspects in the killing of Mahmoud al-Banna, known as Shahama al-Shahama, began in Egypt. The court decided at its first hearing to adjourn the case for a week due to controversy over the real age of the main defendant.
During the hearing before the Children's Court in Shebin El-Kom city in Menoufia Governorate (North Nile Delta), security forces, which closed the roads leading to the court's headquarters, arrested dozens of people for participating in a demonstration demanding the execution of the main defendant in the case, Mohamed Rajeh.
After the demonstration was forcibly dispersed, clashes broke out between the security forces and the demonstrators. There were no casualties.
The court decided to adjourn the case until October 27, at the request of the defense of the four defendants, to see the requests of the victim's attorney and obtain official documents confirming the true age of the accused.
The defendants are on trial for premeditated murder. Mahmoud, 18, was known as the "martyr of shahama" after he paid for his life for trying to protect a girl from his area from harassment.
According to a judicial source speaking to Al Jazeera Net, if it is established that the real age of the main defendant Mohammed Rajeh is more than 18 years will be transferred to the Criminal Court because the current court is not competent.
The case of Banna's killing has received widespread public attention, and social media commentators say the main suspect is over 18, but forged his birth certificate to escape the death penalty, they said.
In conjunction with the court, the #Mahmoud_Banna label was issued on social media sites in Egypt, and before him the #Mrjeh_Hak_Mahmoud_Banna_Fin execution label to demand retribution for Mahmoud.