This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/02/hosni-mubarak-sentenced-life-prison

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Hosni Mubarak sentenced to life in prison Hosni Mubarak sentenced to life in prison
(about 1 hour later)
Egypt's former president Hosni Mubarak has been sentenced to life in prison after a court convicted him on charges of complicity in the killing of protesters during last year's uprising that forced him from power.Egypt's former president Hosni Mubarak has been sentenced to life in prison after a court convicted him on charges of complicity in the killing of protesters during last year's uprising that forced him from power.
Habib el-Adly, Mubarak's minister of the interior, was also jailed for life but Mubarak's sons Gamal and Alaa were cleared of corruption.Habib el-Adly, Mubarak's minister of the interior, was also jailed for life but Mubarak's sons Gamal and Alaa were cleared of corruption.
People at the court in Cairo reacted with pleasure at the first sentences and then angrily to the acquittal of Mubarak's sons and six interior ministry officials and police chiefs. The crowd chanted, "False judgements. The people want to clean the judicial system," and fights broke out inside and stones were thrown at riot police outside the court.People at the court in Cairo reacted with pleasure at the first sentences and then angrily to the acquittal of Mubarak's sons and six interior ministry officials and police chiefs. The crowd chanted, "False judgements. The people want to clean the judicial system," and fights broke out inside and stones were thrown at riot police outside the court.
Mubarak, 84, the first Arab leader to be tried in his own country, remained silent inside a court cage while his once-powerful sons appeared nervous and had dark circles under their eyes. His elder son Alaa whispered verses from the Qur'an.Mubarak, 84, the first Arab leader to be tried in his own country, remained silent inside a court cage while his once-powerful sons appeared nervous and had dark circles under their eyes. His elder son Alaa whispered verses from the Qur'an.
In sentencing, Judge Ahmed Rifaat Rifaat described Mubarak's era as "30 years of darkness" and "a darkened nightmare" that ended only when Egyptians rose up to demand change. "They peacefully demanded democracy from rulers who held tight grip on power," he said.In sentencing, Judge Ahmed Rifaat Rifaat described Mubarak's era as "30 years of darkness" and "a darkened nightmare" that ended only when Egyptians rose up to demand change. "They peacefully demanded democracy from rulers who held tight grip on power," he said.
Rifaat, who was presiding over his last court session before he retires, said Mubarak and Adly did not act to stop the killings during 18 days of mass protests that were met by a deadly crackdown of security forces on unarmed demonstrators. More than 850 protesters were killed in Cairo and other major cities.Rifaat, who was presiding over his last court session before he retires, said Mubarak and Adly did not act to stop the killings during 18 days of mass protests that were met by a deadly crackdown of security forces on unarmed demonstrators. More than 850 protesters were killed in Cairo and other major cities.
Egyptian TV reported that Mubarak would be transferred from the hospital suite where he has been detained to Torah prison in south Cairo but he may have the right to appeal.Egyptian TV reported that Mubarak would be transferred from the hospital suite where he has been detained to Torah prison in south Cairo but he may have the right to appeal.
It is unlikely the judge's verdict will put an end to uncertainty and instability in Egypt. Within minutes of the verdict, young men were pulling barricades on to Tahrir Square. The verdict could damage the chance of Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's former prime minister, in the second round of the presidential election on 16-17 June when he runs against the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi.It is unlikely the judge's verdict will put an end to uncertainty and instability in Egypt. Within minutes of the verdict, young men were pulling barricades on to Tahrir Square. The verdict could damage the chance of Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's former prime minister, in the second round of the presidential election on 16-17 June when he runs against the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi.
Outside there were celebrations, with many chanting "God is greatest". Soha Saeed, the wife of one of those killed in the uprising that toppled Mubarak on 11 February 2011, shouted: "I'm so happy. I'm so happy."Outside there were celebrations, with many chanting "God is greatest". Soha Saeed, the wife of one of those killed in the uprising that toppled Mubarak on 11 February 2011, shouted: "I'm so happy. I'm so happy."
Mubarak arrived at the court building by helicopter and was then wheeled into court on a hospital stretcher, wearing sunglasses and looking frail. Protesters outside the building shouted: "Enough talk, we want execution". As the news of the sentence initially came through to hundreds of protesters and relatives of victims outside the court compound, jubilation erupted with dozens of anti-Mubarak protesters jumping up and down and waving Egyptian flags and their fists in the air.
"I want nothing less than the death penalty for Mubarak. Anything less and we will not be silent and the revolution will break out again," said Hanafi el-Sayed, whose 27-year-old son was killed in the first days of the uprising that erupted in Januarylast year. He had travelled from Alexandria for the trial. Scuffles then between Mubarak supporters and opponents broke out inside and outside the courtroom after the verdict was read, reflecting the deep polarisation of the country after more than a year of turmoil. Helmeted riot police also clashed with protesters.
The trial itself has often been plunged in chaotic scenes. Outside the court, Mubarak's supporters and his opponents have often clashed, hurling stones and abuse at each other. "The people want to cleanse the judiciary," lawyers chanted inside the courtroom after the verdict. Some raised banners that read, "God's verdict is execution."
Rock throwing and fighting left at least 20 people injured, and a police official said that four people were arrested. Thousands of riot police and policemen riding horses had cordoned off the building to prevent protesters and relatives of those slain during the uprising from getting too close. Hundreds stood outside, waving Egyptian flags and chanting slogans demanding "retribution." Some spread Mubarak's picture on the ground and walked over it.
Mubarak's sentence came days after presidential elections went to a runoff on 16-17 June between Mubarak's last prime minister, one-time protege Ahmed Shafiq, and Mubarak's top foe, Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohammed Morsi.
The Muslim Brotherhood issued an immediate statement after the verdict, calling for a retrial. "The public prosecutor did not carry out its full duty in gathering adequate evidence to convict the accused for killing protesters," said Yasser Ali, official spokesman for the Mohamed Morsi campaign.
Egypt's prosecutor general ordered Mubarak to be transferred to Torah prison in southern Cairo to serve his sentence. During the trial, Mubarak has been held in a presidential suite in a hospital on the outskirts of Cairo. Doctors treating him have said he is weak and has lost weight from refusing to eat. They have also said he suffers from severe depression.