Egypt Court Halts All Work Amid Islamist ‘Pressure’
Egypt Court Halts All Work Amid Islamist ‘Pressure’
If this becomes a long stand off as it was at a similar juncture in Pakistan it’s likely that the majority of Egyptians will back the courts.
Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court has said it is halting all work indefinitely in protest at the “psychological pressure” it has faced.
Islamist protesters earlier prevented the judges from meeting in Cairo to rule on a draft constitution.
The supporters of the president wanted to block any ruling that would question the document’s legality.
President Mohammed Morsi has said a referendum on the constitution will be held on 15 December.
His opponents say the draft constitution undermines basic freedoms.
Sunday’s developments are the latest in an unfolding confrontation between Mr Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood supporters on one side, and his mainly secular political opponents and the judiciary on the other.
Mr Morsi adopted sweeping new powers in a decree on 22 November that stripped the judiciary of any power to challenge his decisions, so it is unclear what effect any Supreme Constitutional Court ruling would have.