Trial of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy to resume

The trial of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy is due to resume at a Cairo court Wednesday on charges of inciting the murders of at least three protesters outside the presidential palace in 2012.

Standing trial alongside Morsy on various charges are 14 members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

If convicted, they could face the death penalty.

Morsy, who was deposed by the military amid widespread protest over his rule, has been held in detention since early July.

The charges stem from December 2012 protests over a constitution Morsy shepherded into effect. Egyptian authorities have accused the former president and his staff of ordering supporters to attack protesters after guards and members of the Interior Ministry refused to do it.

Morsy has said he doesn’t recognize the court’s authority, claiming he still is Egypt’s legitimate president.

Muslim Brotherhood members have continued their protests even though the government declared the group a terrorist organization last month. The government has threatened to arrest anyone who attends Muslim Brotherhood protests or provides financial support to the organization.

Egypt is due to hold a referendum January 14-15 on a new constitution that would ban religious parties and put more power in the hands of the military