Morsi's conspiracy trial suspended amid controversy over glass cages

CAIRO, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- An Egyptian court suspended the trial of ousted president Mohamed Morsi and other defendants on Thursday following a defense lawyer's request for new judges.

Defense attorney Mohamed Abu-Leila made the demand after the trial judges refused to remove soundproof glass cages in which the defendants were being held.

All 15 defendants in custody were in attendance for Thursday's hearing, which lasted just five minutes, Anadolu Agency reported.

The defendants shouted slogans against military rule as they entered the cages, and suspect Ibrahim al-Darawi, a journalist, blindfolded and gagged himself to protest the cage.

Morsi and 35 others face charges of conspiracy for allegedly working with Hamas and Hezbollah to carry out terror attacks in Egypt.

Morsi also faces two other trials for allegedly inciting violence against protesters in 2012 and participating in a jailbreak during the 2011 uprising.