A photo of ousted president Mohamed Morsi wearing white prison garb has prompted supporters to launch an online campaign including calls to wear white clothing in solidarity with the jailed leader.
On Sunday, Egyptian daily Al-Masry al-Youm published a mug shot of Morsi in Alexandria's Burg al-Arab Prison, where he is being held in administrative detention until his trial – in which he faces incitement-to-violence charges – resumes in January.
At a first trial session earlier this month, Morsi had refused to wear a prisoner's uniform, saying he did not recognize the court's legitimacy and still represented Egypt's legitimate president. Rather, he had appeared in court wearing a blue suit.
Several pro-Morsi cyber-activists have since taken photos of themselves in similar mug shot-style poses while wearing white shirts in solidarity with the jailed leader. Morsi's son, Osama, joined the drive – dubbed "White is the color of pride" – and posted a photo online of himself clad in white.
Several Morsi backers also called on street demonstrators to wear white to signal their support for the ousted president.
Morsi, Egypt's first freely-elected civilian president, appeared in court on November 4 with seven other defendants to answer charges that he had incited the murder of demonstrators last year.
It was his first public appearance since he was removed by the military establishment on July 3 following demonstrations against his presidency. His supporters, along with a number of independent observers, say the charges against him are politically motivated.
Trial proceedings in the incitement case were postponed by almost two months – they are now slated to resume on January 8 – after defense lawyers requested more time to examine documentation related to the case.
Morsi is further accused by Egypt's new military-backed government of "conspiring" with Gaza-based resistance faction Hamas with the aim of carrying out "hostile acts" inside Egypt.
He also faces charges of helping prisoners – including himself – break out of jail during Egypt's 2011 revolution, sabotaging public property and abducting security personnel.
By Hazem Badr
englishnews@aa.com.tr
