Hosni Mubarak trial: Egypt ex-president back in court

 

Anti-Mubarak protesters showed their feelings outside the court

The trial of Egypt's former President Hosni Mubarak has resumed in the capital, Cairo.

Mr Mubarak, 83, faces the death penalty if found guilty of ordering the killing of protesters in this year's uprising.
He was again wheeled into court on a hospital bed, exchanging words with his sons Alaa and Gamal. The judge struggled to retain order, then turned to the presentation of evidence.
Alaa and Gamal are also on trial. They deny charges of corruption.
Mr Mubarak was forced from office by mass demonstrations in February.
Tantawi demand Hundreds of riot police were on guard outside the courtroom on Monday.
A number of Mubarak supporters had gathered, some chanting: "He is Egyptian until death" and "Hosni Mubarak is not Saddam". Scuffles broke out at regular intervals with anti-Mubarak protesters.
A military helicopter landed at the site, carrying Mr Mubarak. State television showed the former president, wearing a blue jumpsuit, being wheeled out of an ambulance on a hospital bed. His son Alaa tried to cover the camera.
In court, presiding Judge Ahmed Refaat asked if the defendants were present, starting with Mr Mubarak, then his two sons.

It is another day of drama in Cairo. Across the country, millions of Egyptians are again tuning in to watch this incredible spectacle on state television. Despite continuing questions about his health, the former president looks alert and spoke clearly from his hospital bed, to state "mawgud" or "present" in Arabic. He was also seen whispering to his sons.
Legal arguments began quickly. The large, often unruly, group of prosecution lawyers asked the judge about how proceedings will be organised and access to evidence. Already the defence team has supplied a long list of 1,600 witnesses they would like called. Chief among them is the head of the ruling military council, Field Marshal Tantawi.
After protesters put massive pressure on the military for this trial to take place, the stakes are extremely high. The challenge now is to ensure that it is fair and justice is seen to be done.

As in the first hearing, the judge struggled to maintain order, referring to the fact there were more than 100 lawyers.

He repeatedly asked them to take their seats.
The judge started to examine what evidence was to be presented, before calling a recess.
BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen, in Cairo, says the Mubarak legacy touches every part of Egypt and the way they deal with it will shape the new society as it emerges.
But as the violence outside the trial showed, he says, Egyptians are deeply divided about the past and about what comes next.
Monday's session is being dominated by legal arguments.
Lawyers for the families of the demonstrators who were killed in the uprising have already asked for greater access to Mr Mubarak's communication records.
The families want to know what orders he gave to his officials as police tried to stop the protests.
Defence lawyers have meanwhile demanded that Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, who leads the military council that took over from Mr Mubarak but who was his defence minister for two decades, must testify.
They say his evidence on Mr Mubarak could prove pivotal.
The judge has still to rule on who will testify.
Mr Mubarak's lawyer, Farid al-Deeb, has asked the judge to call 1,600 witnesses. Observers say the judge will probably reduce the list he has demanded.
Mr Mubarak is reported to be in a poor state of health, and doctors have been constantly monitoring his medical condition at a military hospital near the capital.
Blogger questioned During the previous court session on 3 August, some 3,000 soldiers and police were drafted in to maintain order.

The charges

• Hosni Mubarak: Conspiring in killing of protesters (15 years in prison or death penalty); abusing power to amass wealth (5-15 years)
• Alaa and Gamal Mubarak: abusing power to amass wealth (5-15 years)
• Former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly and six aides: Conspiring in killing of protesters (15 years or death penalty)
• Hussein Salem, business tycoon and Mubarak confidant: tried in absentia for corruption (5-15 years in prison)

Despite that, the court session was at times unruly, with lawyers jostling and clamouring to be heard by the judge.

The charges against the Mubaraks were read out, and Hosni Mubarak and his sons each denied them.
On Sunday, Egypt's former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly reappeared in the Cairo court on charges of killing nearly 850 demonstrators during the uprising. His trial was adjourned to 5 September.
Adly has already been sentenced to 12 years in prison for money-laundering.
In a separate development, leading Egyptian blogger Asmaa Mahfouz was on Sunday questioned for allegedly defaming the military on Facebook, the official Mena news agency reported.
Ms Mahfouz, one of the leaders of the Egyptian revolution, is suspected of calling for assassination attacks against the military and judicial bodies.
She was briefly detained by military prosecutors and later released on a bail of $3,356 (£2,062), Mena says. Her lawyer denied all the accusations.