Egypt: Verdict for Hosni Mubarak ‘war crimes’ delayed until November
The judge charged with sentencing Egypt’s fallen dictator Hosni Mubarak postponed the verdict on Saturday in a court session which seemed to suggest that the former president may be acquitted of his most serious charges. The delay caused more protests by supporters and opponents alike.
Mubarak and his former security chief Habib El-Adly are being retried over the killing of demonstrators during the 18-day uprising which forced their resignation in 2011. They were found guilty and sentenced to life in 2012, but the conviction was overturned on technical grounds.
2002 Photo/Eric Draper White House
Judge Mahmoud Kamel al-Rashidy explained the difficult nature of his task, saying he needed more time to deliberate over the 160,000-page case file.
Court and television viewers were shown a film by private pro-regime channel Sada al-Balad in which a pink-clad presenter combed through the stacks of case files. The case was postponed to November 29.
Mubarak is currently being held in a military hospital due to medical conditions. The murder of protesters has been a difficult link for prosecutors seeking the death penalty for Mubarak, calling his actions “war crimes.”
The 2011 protests escalated and led to the death of many protesters and police, but Mubarak calling for the execution of protesters is debated.
Supporters and opponents of Mubarak have been protesting outside the Cairo court, where the former Egyptian president is being tried. Both groups are angry that the verdict was postponed yet again.
“The judge is hesitating, it’s a tough decision and he’s obviously not that strong. How come he sets a date for verdict and postpones?” Mubarak supporter Pusy Mohamed said to CNTV.
“We are not against the judge’s decision, but Mubarak is 86 years old, when they first said the verdict is in 40 days, we thought he might not make it. Now it’s two more months,” Mubarak supporter Azza Abdallah said.
