An Egyptian court has sentenced former president Hosni Mubarak to life in prison after convicting him of involvement in the murder of protesters during the uprising that toppled him last year.
Also given a life term on Saturday was Mubarak's former interior minister Habib al-Adly, while six former police commanders were acquitted.
Meanwhile, corruption charges against Mubarak's sons, Alaa and Gamal, were dropped.
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 permitting the killing at least 800 protesters during the 18-day revolt that overthrew him on February 11, 2011.
The 84-year-old Mubarak was then ferried in a helicopter away from the police academy that was used as the courtroom in Cairo.
Hossam Baghat, an attorney from the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights told Al Jazeera that the verdict was likely to be appealed.
"This trial is far, far from over," said Baghat, adding the the trial was inadequate.
Source Aljazeera, June 2, 2012
Egyptian Court Sentences Mubarak to Life in Prison
CAIRO — An Egyptian judge on Saturday sentenced former President Hosni Mubarak to life in prison for the killing of unarmed demonstrators during protests that ended his rule. It was the first verdict of an Arab ruler brought before the law by a popular revolt and for many Egyptians it may be the greatest achievement so far of the uprising that ended his rule.
Judge Ahmed Rafaat acknowledged that prosecutors had presented no evidence that Mr. Mubarak had directly ordered the killing of protesters but reasoned that he was responsible because he had done nothing to stop the killing. His interior minister, Habib el-Adly, was sentenced to life for the same reason, but the charges against other Interior Ministry officials were dismissed.
The judge also dismissed the bribery charges against Mr. Mubarak and his sons, concluding that the statute of limitations had lapsed. Mr. Mubarak’s sons, Alaa and Gamal, will go free but still face stock manipulation charges that were announced last week.
Mr. Mubarak, 84, showed no reaction to the verdict as he lay reclining on a hospital gurney in the metal cage that houses all defendants here, wearing dark glasses and a light colored tracksuit. He blinked visibly several times when it was read.
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Source: The New York Times, June 2, 2012
