After several days of speculation that Mubarak's trial would take place even the trial of Hosni Mubarak, has finally begun. The strong man of ancient Egypt was taken to a police academy room in a hospital bed on Wednesday in Cairo. The former leader of 83 years old, was placed behind a cage for the accused that his trial started promptly at 10 am
Mubarak's sons were with him, both copies of the Koran in hand, and apparently his father tried to block the view of the camera in the courtroom.
Mubarak's sons were with him, both copies of the Koran in hand, and apparently his father tried to block the view of the camera in the courtroom.
Following Judge Ahmed Rifaat's questioning of Mubarak's awareness of the charges made against him Mubarak announced, "I deny all these accusations completely."
Mubarak is facing charges of murder and corruption, and could receive the death penalty if convicted.
Mubarak's two sons, Gamal and Alaa, also go on trial on charges of corruption and all three have denied the charges against him.
Mubarak was removed from his leadership position in February after a reign of 30 years of power in the highly publicized citizen protests that swept the Arab world.
Mubarak's medical team tried to help him avoid a trial on the grounds that the former Egyptian leader was "unfit" to stand trial due to his current state of weakness that is exacerbated by preexisting medical conditions and attempted a hunger strike.
However, the Egyptian Minister of Health decided last week that Mubarak would be unfit to stand trial. However, people were skeptical until late this morning as to whether Mubarak actually stand trial or not.
Only 600 people were allowed in court today, with a number of persons authorized to relatives of those killed during the protests.
A crowd of supporters and opponents gathered outside the room Cairo police academy to see the process on a large screen. Clashes erupted between the two parties and riot police worked to stop throwing stones at each other.
Some critics argue that the trial of Mubarak, only seek to strengthen the will of the leaders of other protests in the Arab world as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi.
However, others have faith in the trial of Mubarak to turn a new page in Arab history.
Mubarak's two sons, Gamal and Alaa, also go on trial on charges of corruption and all three have denied the charges against him.
Mubarak was removed from his leadership position in February after a reign of 30 years of power in the highly publicized citizen protests that swept the Arab world.
Mubarak's medical team tried to help him avoid a trial on the grounds that the former Egyptian leader was "unfit" to stand trial due to his current state of weakness that is exacerbated by preexisting medical conditions and attempted a hunger strike.
However, the Egyptian Minister of Health decided last week that Mubarak would be unfit to stand trial. However, people were skeptical until late this morning as to whether Mubarak actually stand trial or not.
Only 600 people were allowed in court today, with a number of persons authorized to relatives of those killed during the protests.
A crowd of supporters and opponents gathered outside the room Cairo police academy to see the process on a large screen. Clashes erupted between the two parties and riot police worked to stop throwing stones at each other.
Some critics argue that the trial of Mubarak, only seek to strengthen the will of the leaders of other protests in the Arab world as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi.
However, others have faith in the trial of Mubarak to turn a new page in Arab history.
There were even plays on all the old slogans from six months ago. “Hold your head up high, you’re Egyptian” saw the national identifier replaced with the word “Muslim”. “The people want to topple the regime,” a saying lately co-opted by the people of Syria, has now become, “The people want to apply God’s law.” Tantawi, too, has lately been fast-tracked for retirement.
