
An archive photo of pro-Mubarak protesters before the Police Academy
Ahead of former head of intelligence Omar Suleiman's closed session testimony, a handful of pro- and anti-Mubarak protesters rallied and confronted each other on Tuesday morning in front of the Police Academy, where toppled president Hosni Mubarak along with his sons and the former interior minister are being tried.
Around 30 relatives of the January 25 Revolution martyrs clashed with Mubarak supporters, who numbered about 20, after each side had chanted slogans.
Mubarak, both of his sons Alaa and Gamal, former interior minister Habib El-Adly and six of the latter’s assistants are accused of involvement in the killing of peaceful demonstrators during the revolution.
Spy chief Suleiman, who was appointed vice president in the last days of Mubarak’s reign, reportedly said the toppled president “had complete knowledge of every bullet fired at protesters – and the number of those killed or wounded.”
His words bolster the case against Mubarak, but only theoretically, as media statements are not recognised by the court.
Field Marshal and de-facto president Hussein Tantawi confirmed shortly after the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) assumed power that the army had rejected “orders to fire on civilians,” a statement that was repeated later by other SCAF members on several occasions.
Tantawi and his Chief of Staff Sami Anan are set to testify on the same case later this month. Their testimonies, along with Suleiman’s, will not be disclosed to the media any time soon upon strict orders made by SCAF.
Short link: