The Cairo Criminal Court delayed the retrial procedures of 77 defendants, who were sentenced to prison in absentia over the violent acts that occurred outside the Cabinet in December 2011, to September 3.

The court on Sunday delayed the session to listen and cross examine the prosecution witnesses in the case.

The court said that 61 defendants who were convicted in absentia will be included in the retrial in addition to the 16 in custody.

The same court in February had sentenced activist Ahmed Doma and 229 others to life in prison over committing acts of violence and setting ablaze the buildings of the Cabinet, the People's Assembly and the Shura Council along with the Scientific Academy. Another 39 defendants were sentenced to 10 years in jail.

All the defendants were ordered a combined fine of EGP 17 million.