Cairo Court Sets Trial Date for ElBaradei
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - A Cairo court set a September trial date for Mohamed ElBaradei, the recently-resigned interim vice-president for foreign affairs, on charges of breaching national trust.
The charges against ElBaradei were filed by a law professor at Cairo's Helwan University.
He stands accused of "betraying" the public by resigning on August 14, a misdemeanour charge that could carry an $1,430 fine if he is convicted.
Khaled Dawoud, a former spokesman of the National Salvation Front of which ElBaradei was one of the founders, told Aljazeera that the prosecutor general's decision to refer the case to court was probably a consequence of the current atmosphere of polarisation in the country.
"This is a reflection of the atmosphere in Egypt right now. You cannot take your independent stand or otherwise you will be considered breaching national trust" Dawoud said.
"The complaint against ElBaradei is ridiculous. I just even could not believe this kind of case will be filed."
The longtime diplomat stepped down hours after security forces brutally dispersed two protests in support of deposed President Mohamed Mursi, killing at least 830 people, according to official figures.
In his resignation letter, ElBaradei lamented the violent crackdown, warning of a "state of polarisation and grave division... the social fabric is threatened as violence breeds violence."
