Hosni Mubarak at his Trial

"Landep News"

Hosni Mubarak at his Trial

The trial of the former president of Egypt Hosni Mubarak took a new turn on Wednesday, when the judge Ahmed Refaat charged a senior police officer with perjury after he declared that police was not ordered by Mubarak and his interior minister to fire on protestors in January and February.

The decision made by the judge brought a little hope to the prosecution, which faced a setback in the trial as four witnesses of the prosecution recanted their previous statements and declared on Monday, during the third session of Mubarak’s trial, that Mubarak never ordered police to use live ammunition, that live ammunition was distributed to the forces who were protecting the interior ministry and that the minister had ordered them to treat the protestors like “brothers and sons.”

This change of testimonies made the representatives of the families of the 800 people who were killed during the Egyptian revolution fear that the former president may not even be convicted.

That was the reason why they created the entire commotion in the courtroom on Monday, prompting the judge to evacuate the room.

Detaining captain Mohamed Abdel Hakim for alleged perjury was seen as a wise decision and was cheered by the people, but it is not sure yet that the judge will be able to break his loyalty to Mubarak and to the former interior minister.

The prosecution is attempting to prove that Mubarak gave the police live ammunition and the order to crush the rebellion, and that between January 25 and February 11 they used the weapons to kill 800 people.

None of the police officers interrogated so far has affirmed that they were aware of such an order issued by the president or by the interior minister.

Hakim offered his testimony that was consistent with what the four officers had said before him on Monday, that is that he went in the streets armed with a shield, with baton, tear gas and pellet pistols.

When asked who had shot the people with live ammunition he replied he did not know, leaving the judge little choice than to charge him with perjury.

Mubarak’s case has captured attention of the entire Muslim world, and it is expected that his acquittal could set the stage for another round of protests in the country that is reeling from the turmoil it went through and is trying to find a way to build democratic institutions.

Egyptians are expected to vote in October for a new parliament, and the military national council that is ensuring the transition pledges to deliver free and democratic elections that would make Egypt proud.

There is a very strong concern that the country may take a turn toward hardline Islam as the Muslim Brotherhood is expected to win many of the seats in parliament.

There was a talk in Egypt about postponing elections until after the new constitution was drafted for fear that once the new parliament is in place the Islamists may impose their principles in it.

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