Mubarak either appeared lying on a medical stretcher or sitting on a wheelchair during the sessions of his trial (Photo: internet)
Cairo’s criminal court has adjourned the trial of ousted president Hosni Mubarak’s until Sunday, 22 January.
On Saturday the lead defence lawyer, Farid El-Deeb, defended Mubarak’s two sons, Alaa and Gamal, against corruption charges as well as the deposed ruler’s involvement in Egypt’s natural gas deal with Israel.
El-Deeb will continue to present the case for the defence in Sunday's session.
Meanwhile, a host of Mubarak’s supporters outside the Police Academy, where the trial is being held, chanted against the protesters who are planning to go to Tahrir Square next week.
Countrywide mass protests are planned to be staged on the popular uprising’s first anniversary on Wednesday, 25 January, where many are to call on Egypt’s ruling military to hand over power. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has been, for all effects and purposes, the real power since the revolution ousted president Mubarak, despite there being a transitional government.
Meanwhile, several relatives of the revolution’s victims also stood outside the Police Academy, demanding Mubarak be executed.
It was reported that a clash between both sides could have erupted were it not for the security forces that kept both sides segregated by metal barriers.
Many clashes had previously taken place during and after previous sessions of the “Trial of the Century.”
Mubarak, both of his sons, ex-interior minister Habib El-Adly and six of the latter’s assistants are accused of instigating the killing of 846 peaceful protesters during the January revolution.
Should the defendants be found guilty, the death penalty is available to the judge. El-Adly has already been sentenced to 17 years in prison after being convicted of corruption in a separate trial.
The toppled president and his sons are also charged with persistent illegal profiteering during the former’s tenure.
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