DHAKA: Egypt’s ex-president Hosni Mubarak has been handed a life sentence for complicity in the killings of protesters in last year’s uprising.
Mubarak, the first Arab leader to be tried by his own people since the wave of uprising began in Tunisia in late 2010, was found guilty for his role in the killing of some 900 protesters during the 18-day revolt that overthrew him on February 11, 2011.
His interior minister, Habib al-Adli, and six former security aides are standing the same trial, reports Al Jazeera.
Mubarak’s two sons, Alaa and Gamal, are being tried alongside him for corruption. They could each be sentenced to three years in prison, according to Human Rights Watch.
If convicted, the 84-year-old Mubarak could face the death penalty. He also faced separate corruption charges along with his two sons and a family friend who is on the run.
The trial is taking place in the police academy that was once named after Mubarak on Cairo’s outskirts.
Al Jazeera’s Sherine Tadros, reporting from outside the police academy, said the judge in the case has the right to delay the verdict, but that observers say that this is unlikely.
‘What’s more likely to happen is he will read out the charges for each of the defendants and hand down either sentences or even acquit, as he sees fit’, said Tadros, adding that appeals to potential verdict could meant that it could take years for the sentences to be carried out.
She added that the scene in Cairo was very tense.
‘We’re talking about 20,000 security personnel, over 150 tanks, securing just this area and the surrounding area...we’re in a very politically charged atmosphere’, said Al Jazeera correspondent.
BDST: 1445 HRS, JUN 2, 2012
Edited by Robab Rosan, Cultural Affairs Editor
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