Although the authorities have detained dozens of Brotherhood members since Morsi's fall from power, the case against the group's spiritual leader, his deputy and another key figure is the first to be scheduled for trial.

The case concerns events during the final days of Morsi's tenure, when hundreds of rioters ' equipped with stones, Molotov cocktails and firearms ' attacked the Muslim Brotherhood's headquarters in Cairo and tried to burn those inside alive.

Police officers in the area during the attack did not intervene, and a few men inside the darkened building fired guns from the windows. Health officials said eight people were killed outside the building, and a video posted online showed one badly beaten man being dragged from the building.

Accused of incitement to murder in the case are the Brotherhood's supreme guide, Mohamed Badie; his deputy, Khairat el-Shater; and another official, Mohamed Bayoumi.

Three other defendants in the case have been charged with murder and arms possession, and an additional 29 people have been accused of using force, terrifying residents and attacking a police officer, state news media reported.

The trial will most likely further complicate intensive political and diplomatic efforts to persuade Morsi's supporters to break up two large sit-ins in Cairo that they have committed to maintaining until he is restored to power.

BEN HUBBARD & MAYY EL SHEIKH