Morsi in Court for Second Trial Session

Mohammed Morsi, the former president of Egypt, has arrived in a court in Cairo for the second session of his trial.

Morsi and 14 members of the Muslim Brotherhood are accused of inciting the death of protesters who demanded new elections.

The protesters had gathered outside the presidential palace in December 2012 calling for Morsi's removal. The Brotherhood's leaders called on members to rally to his defence.

Up to 20,000 security forces were on high alert for Morsi's court appearance on Wednesday, according to the interior ministry.

An Islamist coalition led by the Brotherhood had called for a "million man march" to coincide with the hearing.

Ahead of the trial some people were injured during clashes between Morsi's supporters and security forces.

Demonstrations turned violent after Friday prayers last week and at least 17 protesters were killed. Morsi's supporters used a hijacked bus to try to break through police lines.

Egyptian officials insist Morsi will be given a fair trial but defence lawyers say they have been denied access to him.

Morsi, who first appeared in court in November last year, served as president of Egypt, from 30 June 2012 to 3 July 2013. He was the first democratically elected head of state in Egyptian history.

Speaking from behind bars, he insisted he was still the president and was being held against his will. He then refused to recognise the legitimacy of the court.

The Muslim Bortherhood's leader faces also other charges which include colluding with foreign militants against Egypt and involvement in a terrorist plot related to his escape from prison in 2011. He is due to appear in court again at the end of January.

Morsi was overthrown in July and replaced by a temporary military regime.
The interim government has declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terroristic group and thousands of its members have been arrested.

Deputy prime minister Hossam Eissa said in a statement that the state and the people "will never succumb to the terrorism of the Muslim Brotherhood whose crimes have gone far beyond all moral, religious and human limits."

Morsi's ousting has led to some of the worst violence in Egypt.

At least 900 people, most of them Morsi's supporters, were killed in August 2013 after the authorities smashed two protest camps set up in Cairo.