Translated by Ed Shafik for CAA from the original article by Remon Yousef published by Copts United on 7/9/2010:

The lawyer for the family of George Shafik (the 29-year-old Deacon who was murdered in his apartment on October 7th, 2009) expressed surprise at the hearing held on 4/24/2010 at a medical report submitted by the defendant’s defense team stating that the defendant, Abdel Moneim Mohamed Ali Mohammed, suffered from a mental disability both before, during and after committing this crime – and therefore is not responsible for his actions.

The legal team for George Shafik requested that the Court refer the defendant to the High Commissioner in Cairo for another medical examination on him and his mental faculties. The court approved the this request, based on the fact that the medical report was contrary to the conduct of the accused, since he planned this premeditated murder.

The court decided to refer the accused and the papers to the Forensic Committee in Cairo and was surprised to find that this committee reported that the papers were not based on any scientific grounds and that the defendant does not suffer from any disease and is fully responsible for his actions – the defendant was described as a “psychopathic killer” and “dangerous criminal” because of his premeditated plan to commit this crime against society.

George Anton, a representative for the George Shafik's family, thanked the court for agreeing to the request to assign the case to the High Commissioner in Cairo and for the medical examination of the accused.

The Alexandria Criminal Court will convene on 27 September 2010 to hear the proceedings in the light of the new medical report.