Prosecution Demands Death Penalty for Egypt’s Mubarak

Posted January 5th, 2012 at 1:00 pm (UTC-5)
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Prosecutors in the trial of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak say they will seek the death penalty for him and at least five security officials.

Mr. Mubarak faces a variety of charges over corruption and involvement in the deaths of hundreds of anti-government protesters during last year's uprising that forced him from power.

The former leader has pleaded not guilty. He faces the death penalty if convicted of murder.

Top prosecutor Mustafa Suleiman told the court in Cairo Thursday that it was Mr. Mubarak's responsibility to intervene and stop the violence targeted at protesters during last year's uprising that forced him from power.

Mr. Mubarak's co-defendants include his two sons, Egypt's former interior minister and senior police officers. They are being tried on a variety of charges. Egyptian media reports say convictions against them could result in varying sentences including prison terms of up to 15 years.

Earlier this week, the prosecution called Mr. Mubarek a “tyrannical leader” who sought to hand power to friends and relatives.

His trial restarted last week after more than a three-month suspension, while the court considered a request to have the judges replaced.