A court in Kuwait has adjourned the trial of sixteen Egyptians arrested in connection with rioting last October in Kuwait City.

One report says the adjournment follows defence claims that the men were tortured during interrogation.

The Egyptians are accused of arson and damaging property during the riots, which devastated the poor district of Kheitan, twenty kilometres south of Kuwait City.

The disturbances, which were sparked by a scuffle between a Egyptian and a Bangladeshi shopkeeper, developed into a protest involving Egyptians angry at low pay and poor job security.

Hundreds of Egyptians were arrested and many wounded when Kuwaiti special forces moved in.

The hearing will resume in March.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service