The trial of controversial Salafi leader Hazem Abu Ismail has been postponed until 15 September.
Abu Ismail stands accused of submitting forged data about his mother's nationality to the Higher Election Committee during the presidential election race last year.
The trial was postponed because Abu Ismail could not attend the session for security reasons. He remains in police custody.
His lawyer, Moushir Ahmed, said there is no document in the case that confirms Abu Ismail’s mother had a U.S. nationality. “The Administrative Court had ruled that his mother did not get the American citizenship,” he said. “This refutes the forgery allegation.”
Abu Ismail's laywer instead claimed the accusation was politically motivated.
“It has to do with Abu Ismail himself, considering recent stances [he has taken] regarding the military, the judiciary and the police,” he added.
Excluding Abu Ismail from the elections had sparked protests by his supporters near the Defense Ministry last year.
He was arrested last month on charges of inciting violence between supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsy and the army that overthrew him early July.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
