August Trial Date Set for Egypt’s Mubarak

Posted June 1st, 2011 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
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Egypt's former president Hosni Mubarak and his two sons will face trial in August on charges of fraud and orchestrating the killing of anti-government protesters who drove him from power.

Egypt state media on Wednesday announced the trial will begin on August 3. Mr. Mubarak and his sons, Alaa and Gamal, will face trial in a Cairo criminal court.

Prosecutors have been interrogating the former president at a hospital in Sharm el Sheikh, and his sons while in custody in a Cairo prison.

They are investigating Mr. Mubarak's alleged role in crimes going back decades. The charges against Mr. Mubarak and his sons include abuse of power and wasting public funds.

The setting of the trial date follows widespread calls for members of the former government to face justice. Human rights activists believe at least 800 people were killed during the protests, which ended nearly 30 years of Mr. Mubarak's rule.

Gamal Mubarak held no formal government position, but had a key post in the former ruling National Democratic Party and was seen as being groomed to succeed his father. His brother Alaa was a prominent businessman, also without an official post.

The former president's wife, Suzanne Mubarak, has also been questioned about alleged illegal gains. Last month, she agreed to hand over over several million dollars worth of property and other assets.