The nine-judge bench of the Court of Cassation, sitting as a trial court in a case that it previously heard twice on appeal, sat throughout the day to hear all of the defense and prosecution legal arguments in the case. At the close of proceedings at 4.15 pm the court announced that it would return on March 18, 2003 with its verdict.

“These were open proceedings, and the defense was given ample opportunity to present its arguments,” commented Neil Hicks, who was present at the court on behalf of Human Rights First. “We are hopeful that the court will acquit Dr. Ibrahim and his co-defendants. Such a verdict would be the best way for Egypt to silence critics who have called into question the independence of the judiciary as a result of this prosecution.”

The day was heavily weighted towards the defense team that presented its arguments for over five hours. The prosecution, by contrast, opened with reading the charges against the defendants and offered a short ten minute rebuttal of defense arguments, which left many defense points uncontested.

Defense lawyer, Muhammad Aboul Fouttouh, in a forceful presentation that held the judges’ attention, charged that the prosecution had failed to substantiate the charges against Dr. Ibrahim. He said that the prosecution case used vague language and broad accusations, and that a case had been built against Dr. Ibrahim “in a vindictive spirit of prejudice.”

The prosecution, in its rebuttal, seemed most concerned to defend its arguments for the charge of “defaming Egypt abroad.” It claimed that “the facts of Egyptian life” proved Dr. Ibrahim to be a liar.

At the hearing on March 18, 2003 the court will declare its final verdict to which there can be no further judicial appeal. Dr. Ibrahim, who limped unsteadily into the court room using a walking stick and requiring support to help him walk, remains banned from travel abroad to receive medical treatment for a degenerative neurological condition from which he is suffering.