The head of Egypt's ruling military council, Hussein Tantawi, has failed to attend a court session in which he was expected to offer testimony about the former president Hosni Mubarak's alleged role in the death of protesters, world media reported.
Tantawi said he could not bear testimony at the Sunday trial as he had to deal with security issues in the country, Al Arabiya television reported. Tantawi served as defense minister when Mubarak was in power.
Also standing in the same trial are former interior minister Habib al-Adli and six senior security aides.
Mubarak is charged with authorizing lethal force against protesters to crush an uprising that eventually put an end to his 30-year rule. He could face the death penalty if convicted.
The court has ordered a media gag on carrying any leaked information from the closed hearing.
