23 Aug 2009

Men with alleged links to the Lebanese Hezbollah movement have reportedly been tortured by police ahead of their trial in Egypt.

During the hearing, which began in Cairo on Sunday, some of the defendants made the torture allegations, AFP reported.

"If you don't believe us, just look at our bodies," one man shouted to the judge.

The 22 men accused of plotting attacks in Egypt denied the charges of "conspiracy to murder, spying for a foreign organization with intent of conducting terrorist attacks and weapons possession."

Four more persons sought in the case are on the run and are being tried in absentia.

Egypt arrested 49 people in early April, accusing Hezbollah of recruiting the group to mastermind acts of terror in the country.

Hezbollah, however, dismissed the allegations and described them as a politically motivated campaign against the movement.


presstv