CAIRO // Barely six months after his downfall, Egypt’s former president Mohammed Morsi is facing three trials on a wide range of charges, many of which carry the death penalty.
The Islamist leader, who was removed from power by the military after vast protests against his rule, went on trial in November for inciting murder. His next hearing will take place in January.
Since November he has been referred to two separate trials for conspiring with and passing sensitive information to two militant groups — the Palestinian Hamas and Lebanon’s Hizbollah — and for his escape from prison during the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak.
No date has been set for the other two trials and more legal proceedings against Mr Mr Morsi are expected as prosecutors continue to examine his conduct during 12 months in office.
The trials, which also involve dozens of Brotherhood leaders as co-defendants, are being prepared as the crackdown by the military-backed government against the Islamist group continues, with thousands already detained and more than a 1,000 killed in security operations since July.
The multitude of trials reflects the resolve of Egypt’s rulers to dismantle the Muslim Brotherhood so thoroughly that it will not rise again, at least not in the near future, as a potent political force.
The charges facing Mr Morsi and the Brotherhood leaders in the three trials combine to paint a picture of a leadership that was only interested in promoting the cause of their own movement and cementing their hold on power, even at the expense of innocent lives or the nation’s security.
While sending Mr Morsi or Brotherhood leader Mohammed Badie and his deputy Khairat El Shater to the gallows may be a bold and somewhat risky move, sentencing them to long jail terms could deal the entire organisation a devastating blow that would cripple it for years to come.
Most of the group’s top leaders are already in jail along with its midlevel officials and thousands of local and regional operatives from across Egypt.
However, the prediction that the Brotherhood can be eradicated has its fair share of sceptics.
The Brotherhood has spent most of the 85 years since its creation as an underground organisation. It has spend decades honing its survival tactics and became skilled at collecting membership fees and donations. Its hard-core members are disciplined, follow orders without question and turn out for elections in droves.
With the backing of Turkey and the financial muscle of Qatar, the Brotherhood can afford to remain in the fight for years.
As an outlawed group during Mubarak’s 29 years in office it had fielded candidates in elections for parliament and in labour unions as “independents”, thus ensuring representation while not breaking the law. Already, its members conceal their links to the group, disguising themselves as “defenders of legitimacy” — a reference to Mr Morsi’s election victory and the referendum that adopted an Islamist-tilted constitution in 2012 — to avoid the continuing crackdown.
University protesters calling for the return of “legitimacy” avoid mention of the Brotherhood in their slogans in a bid to give the impression of a nationwide movement.
However, despite the Brotherhood’s discipline and its well-oiled money machine, the group has steadily lost much of the support it once had outside its ranks of hard-core members since Mr Morsi was removed from power.
Near daily protests by Mr Morsi’s supporters have often ended in clashes with security forces and just as frequently with ordinary Egyptians fed up with the demonstrations or opposed to the Brotherhood.
A series of well publicised assaults, deadly in some cases, by Brotherhood members against supporters of the military and its chief, General Abdel Fattah El Sisi, has also turned the tide against the group. With a media loyal to the military and steadfastly opposed to the Brotherhood, the group has been cast as a foreign-backed terrorist organisation determined to undermine security, charges that have cost the movement the sympathy it once enjoyed from the public.
With most Egyptians craving for stability and economic recovery after three years of turmoil, the Brotherhood’s campaign to prevent the country from returning to normality is costing it even more from non-Islamists.
Furthermore, the Brotherhood-inspired criticism of the military and Gen El Sisi on social networks and on TV networks loyal to the group are widely taken as an unforgivable insult to what most Egyptians see as their strongest and most reliable institution, the army.
foreign.desk@thenational.ae
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
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The%20Sandman
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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
UNpaid bills:
Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN budget in 2019
USA – $1.055 billion
Brazil – $143 million
Argentina – $52 million
Mexico – $36 million
Iran – $27 million
Israel – $18 million
Venezuela – $17 million
Korea – $10 million
Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN peacekeeping operations in 2019
USA – $2.38 billion
Brazil – $287 million
Spain – $110 million
France – $103 million
Ukraine – $100 million
Other key dates
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Finals draw: December 2
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Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 2,000m - Winner: Powderhouse, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap Dh165,000 2,200m - Winner: Heraldic, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Conditions Dh240,000 1,600m - Winner: Walking Thunder, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
8.15pm: Handicap Dh190,000 2,000m - Winner: Key Bid, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 1,200m - Winner: Drafted, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
9.25pm: Handicap Dh170,000 1,600m - Winner: Cachao, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Handicap Dh190,000 1,400m - Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
Concrete and Gold
Foo Fighters
RCA records
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlmouneer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dr%20Noha%20Khater%20and%20Rania%20Kadry%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEgypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E120%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%2C%20with%20support%20from%20Insead%20and%20Egyptian%20government%2C%20seed%20round%20of%20%3Cbr%3E%243.6%20million%20led%20by%20Global%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Leaderboard
15 under: Paul Casey (ENG)
-14: Robert MacIntyre (SCO)
-13 Brandon Stone (SA)
-10 Laurie Canter (ENG) , Sergio Garcia (ESP)
-9 Kalle Samooja (FIN)
-8 Thomas Detry (BEL), Justin Harding (SA), Justin Rose (ENG)
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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cargoz%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Premlal%20Pullisserry%20and%20Lijo%20Antony%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2030%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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