Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, aged 84, was sentenced Saturday to life in prison for the killing of nearly 850 protesters during the uprising that led to his removal from power in 2011, the tribunal president said, quoted by AFP. Mubarak, who wore dark glasses and was lying on a stretcher because of his health, remained impassive throughout the hearing. First of the leaders ousted during the “Arab spring” which appeared in person before the judges, Hosni Mubarak always on a stretcher in court since August 3, 2011. The prosecution demanded the death penalty, and he pleaded not guilty.
Former Interior Minister Habib el-Adli, tried for killing the protesters during the uprising in January – February 2011, was also sentenced to life imprisonment. Six other former senior officials of the security services, who were tried for the same offense, were acquitted. Former president’s sons Alaa and Gamal Mubarak were also tried, but the facts of corruption of which they were accused were prescribed, said chairman of the tribunal, Judge Ahmed Rifaa. Alaa and Gamal Mubarak, dressed in white outfit specific to inmates, had a serious air and dark circles around their eyes. The two were in tears after the verdicts were read. A separate trial for them is to begin soon for a stock market corruption case. Brief clashes erupted inside the courtroom after the president of the tribunal announced the sentencing of the former president.
“Null and void! Null and void”, “People want justice!” shouted some lawyers, angry after the acquittal of six security officials, who were accused of involvement in the death of demonstrators, and after the judge announcement stating that the corruption accusations for Mubarak’s sons were prescribed. Egyptian television showed pictures of a young man who had blood on his neck. Lawyers who represented the civil party said they fear that Mubarak and former Interior Minister Habib el-Adli will be acquitted on appeal.
Judge Rifaat had harsh words for the situation in Egypt for 30 years during Hosni Mubarak rule, making particular reference to population poverty. He paid tribute to the demonstrators who stood against the regime early last year. “They were going to the Tahrir Square peacefully, and demanded justice, freedom, democracy,” he said.
Maximum security for the hearing
Hundreds of police and armored vehicles surrounded the building to prevent confrontations that happened in the past in court, between supporters and opponents of Mubarak. In front of the tribunal, about 20 family members of victims, who came from Alexandria, displayed portraits of their “martyrs”. “Execution to the villain!”, “30 years of torture and crimes against young people, he should be executed,” they chanted.
This verdict comes at a time that the election is held for a successor to the former president, in a pluralist election. In the second round of presidential elections on 16 and June 17, Mohammed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, will face Mubarak’s last prime minister, Ahmad Shafik. Former commander of the Egyptian Air Force, then Vice President during the rule of Anwar al-Sadat, Mubarak took over the power in the most populated country in the Arab world – 82 million – after the al-Sadat assassination in 1981. His health has been the subject of numerous speculations. He would suffer from heart problems, but the Ministry of Health denied that he had cancer, contrary to assurances by Mubarak’s lawyer.
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