Constitutional Court judges cease work after court house is blocked by President Morsi's supporters ahead of key ruling.
President Morsi has given himself near absolute powers, placing himself and assembly above any oversight [Reuters]
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Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court has shelved its work indefinitely after protests by President Mohamed Morsi's supporters outside its headquarters prevented judges from meeting.
"The court registers its deep regret and pain at the methods of psychological assassination of its judges," it said. The top court had earlier announced it had postponed its ruling on the legitimacy of the constituent assembly, citing "administrative'' reasons. It is not known whether a new date has been set for the ruling. Any ruling from the court would be a direct challenge to Morsi - who last month gave himself near absolute powers, placing himself and the assembly above any oversight, including by the judiciary - and could further undermine the charter's legitimacy. Public referendum Meanwhile, anti-Morsi protesters continued to occupy Cairo's Tahrir Square on Sunday morning, a day after the president called for a December 15 public referendum on a draft constitution after receiving a copy of the document. Morsi is accused by his detrators of usurping sweeping powers and pushing his Muslim Brotherhood agenda in drawing up the draft constitution. Judges have threatened to boycott observing the referendum, and the secular opposition promised a civil disobedience campaign. The presidency has been locked in a power struggle with the judiciary and secular and Christian activists since November 22, when Morsi granted himself wide-ranging power to issue decrees which would not be subject to judicial review. |