“The Deposed: Starring Hosni Mubarak and his Sons Alaa and Gamal”, screamed the headline of one of Egypt’s new independent newspapers. The trial of former president Hosni Mubarak, scheduled for Wednesday, has the quality of a movie premiere; build-up has included extensive reports on the leading characters and speculation about the venue, which is likely to be thronged with spectators on the day. But what everyone really wants to know is if the star of the show will bother turning up. By SIMON ALLISON.
Ever since his dramatic downfall, rumours about the health of Hosni Mubarak have swirled across the media and the blogosphere. The official word from the hospital in the coastal town of Sharm el Sheikh where he’s spent most of his time out of office is that he’s weak, but fit to attend the hearing. This has not allayed fears that the 83 year old’s health will mysteriously deteriorate before the trial, preventing him from facing the court.
Mubarak is charged with conspiring to kill more than 800 protesters who lost their lives during the revolution, as well as with benefitting from various kickback schemes while he was president. He is joined in the dock by his two sons, the former interior minister, and six former security chiefs.
The trial will be held in a police academy on the outskirts of Cairo, which the authorities deem to be safer than the usual venues in central Cairo. In a different era of Egyptian politics, the venue was known as the Mubarak Academy. Egyptian prisoners typically appear in court in a special metal cage; a bed has been set up inside Mubarak’s cage so that he can lie down during the course of the trial.
Egyptian activists have been disappointed at how long it’s taken to bring Mubarak to court, and remain concerned that the ex-dictator will get off lightly. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which currently rules Egypt, is composed of figures who prospered during the Mubarak era.
Protests are expected outside the venue, with concerns that violence might break out between revolutionaries and the remnants of Mubarak supporters. DM
Read more:
- Egyptians hold their breath for Mubarak trial at Egyptian Gazzette.
Photo: An Egyptian man stands next to graffiti showing an effigy (R) of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak during a sit-in at Tahrir Square in Cairo July 20, 2011. Egyptian protesters have camped out in central Cairo since July 8, demanding faster reforms and speedy trials of ousted President Hosni Mubarak and his aides, accused of corruption or killing protesters. The effigy of Mubarak shows him saying “I understand you”, and below are words that read “A statement by the Supreme Council of the Military” and “Don’t believe him”. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh.
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