Court of Cassation Adjourns Minkara Trial over Lack of Quorum

The Military Court of Cassation adjourned on Tuesday looking into the appeal submitted by First Military Investigation Judge Riyad Abu Ghida to release the pro-Syria Islamic Tawhid Movement-Command Council over lack of quorum.

Abu Ghida had ordered on Monday the release of Sheikh Hashem Minkara after questioning him, and referred back his file to State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr.

The sheikh had been accused by the military prosecution of withholding information from the authorities regarding his alleged connection with last month's twin bombings in the northern city of Tripoli.

But Saqr ruled against Abu Ghida's judgment and kept him in custody pending the ruling of the Military Court of Cassation.

“The new date of the trial was not revealed,” the state-run National News Agency noted.

Meanwhile, Abu Ghida resumed the interrogation of informer Mustafa Houri over his alleged involvement in the Tripoli bombings, according to the NNA.

Abu Ghida ordered on Monday the arrest of Sheikh Ahmed al-Gharib and Houri following their interrogation.

Forty-five people were killed and at least 800 wounded in the Tripoli bombings that targeted the two Sunni mosques as worshipers were performing weekly prayers.