News |
Egypt Turmoil

Mubarak trial resumes in Egypt today

As the Mubarak's trial resumes today, he is due to address the court, but he had not arrived as the session began
Former President Mubarak is facing charges relating to the killing of 850 unarmed demonstrators in 2011 (AFP)
By MEE and agencies
Published date: 12 February 2015 20:00 GMT | Last update: 9 years 9 months ago

The trial of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resumes today. He is expected in later on Wednesday but was not their when the court session began apparently due to problems flying him from the hospital where he is being held to the court due to the foggy flying conditions. 

His two sons and the former Minister of Interior are all in court now. 

Mubarak is expected to address the court when he does arrive. There has been a lot of speculation as to what he might say with some thinking he will appeal for mercy on grounds of his old age and ill health.

Mubarak ruled Egypt for almost 30 years before his overthrow. 

US concerned over Egypt death report

The US has expressed renewed concerns over last year’s killing of protesters in Egypt after a human rights report claimed that the killings likely constituted crimes against humanity.

 
US State Department Deputy Spokeswoman Marie Harf said Tuesday it was troubling that no Egyptian security forces have yet been held accountable for the police crackdown on two squares in August 2013, which killed hundreds of people and injured thousands.
 
The Human Rights Watch said in a report on Tuesday that the killings were "part of a policy to use lethal force against largely unarmed protesters on political grounds."
 
The report said the incident was "one of the world's largest killings of demonstrators in a single day in recent history," calling for a UN investigation into the role of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his security chiefs. 
 
"The report's findings are very disturbing," Harf said. "In order for Egypt to achieve long-term stability, security, economic prosperity, it must investigate these events in a fully transparent and credible manner, one that's grounded in impartial application of the rule of law and to hold people accountable."
 
The US held up a weapons systems delivery to Egypt upon the killings, although Washington avoided calling General el-Sisi's deposing President Mohamed Morsi on 3 July, 2013 a military coup. 
 
According to the Egyptian Health Ministry, 638 people were killed - 595 civilians and 43 police officers - and nearly 4,000 injured on 14 August when the Egyptian army violently cleared two squares, Rabaa al-Adawiya and Nahda.
 
The Muslim Brotherhood and the National Coalition for Supporting Legitimacy claim that the death toll in Rabaa al-Adawiya alone was over 2,500.

New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch

Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters

Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.

Read more

Egypt Turmoil
HRW: Sisi must be investigated for crimes against humanity
Egypt Turmoil
Egypt deports HRW officials ahead of Rabaa report release
Egypt Turmoil
Mubarak weeps before cameras during trial