Egypt's Court Shuts, Blames 'Psychological Assassination'

Amid mass protests in support of Mohamed Morsi, Egypt's top court went on strike indefinitely today, saying in a terse statement that "[the judges] announce the suspension of the court sessions until the time when they can continue their message and rulings in cases without any psychological and material pressures." Protesters had earlier blocked the judges from the Cairo courthouse, notes al-Jazeera, forcing the court to postpone an expected ruling on the legitimacy of the constituent assembly.

The upheaval comes in the wake of Morsi's call last night for a Dec. 15 referendum on the draft constitution crafted by the 100-member constituent assembly; judges had already vowed to boycott the referendum, further entrenching the clash between the judiciary and Morsi. Anti-Morsi protesters gathered today in Tahrir Square in response.