File photo: Muslim cleric Ahmed Abdullah, also known as Abu Islam, speaks to media as he arrives at court for the opening session of his trial in Cairo (Photo: Reuters)
Judges at a court in Cairo have withdrawn from an appeal by an Islamic preacher found guilty of burning a Bible.
Ahmed Abdullah, known as Abu Islam, appealed against an 11-year jail sentence and a LE3,000 ($425) fine for insulting religion.
Abu Islam burned copies of the Bible during a rally against an anti-Islam film outside the US embassy in Cairo on 11 September 2012. He told the crowd he would send his grandson to urinate on the Bible.
The judges cited a conflict of interest as their reason for stepping down without giving further details.
The court was expected to issue its verdict on Sunday.
In June, a court sentenced Abu Islam to 11 years in jail and a LE3,000 fine, and his son to eight years in jail and a LE2,000 fine.
In separate case in July 2013, a court sentenced Abu Islam to three years in jail for offending Christianity, with bail set at LE10,000 ($1,425).
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