CAIRO: Egypt’s deposed President Muhammad Mursi charged he was being muzzled in a soundproof dock at the start of his trial on espionage charges Sunday, as his defense lawyers staged a protest walk-out.

The court adjourned the trial, the third for Mursi since his July 3 ouster, to Feb. 23 to allow the lawyers’ syndicate to appoint new lawyers.

Mursi, who has shouted that he was Egypt’s legitimate and elected president in hearings of other trials against him, said the court was trying to silence him.

“We are in a farce, all this because you are afraid of me. You are afraid that the president speaks,” Mursi cried out.

“If this farce continues, don’t come to the court,” Mursi told his defense.

Mohamed Selim Al-Awa, a member of the defense team, told AFP: “We have withdrawn until the court removes the glass cage, we will not get in the room today.”

The soundproof dock is designed to stop Mursi and the other defendants from interrupting the proceedings with outbursts. On Sunday, 20 defendants were brought to court, including Mursi, who was placed in a separate dock with a former aide, and the Brotherhood’s supreme guide Mohamed Badie and his deputy Khairat Al-Shater.

The accused include former presidential aides and renowned political scientist Emad Shahin, who is being tried in absentia.