East Alexandria Prosecution office referred seven lawyers to trial Sunday on charges of demonstrating without a permit and gathering in the city’s court yard, in protest of the border maritime demarcation agreement and the transfer of the Red Sea islands Tiran and Sanafir to Saudi Arabia. Ashour said in a statement that the syndicate is committed to defending all of its members accused in political cases. Over 300 fellow lawyers announced solidarity with the seven lawyers brought before the trial and confirmed their full support and defense against “this unfairness and injustice” to which their colleagues have been subjected to, while additionally seeking to protect the rights and freedoms of lawyers and assuring their safety. According to the 2016 agreement, the two islands were deemed to be within Saudi territorial waters, in recognition of historical claims from Saudi Arabia. The Supreme Administrative Court, however, nullified this agreement on the basis that there was insufficient evidence to support the Saudi allegations.

Source: Egypt Independent July 09, 2017 12:22 UTC