Former Egyptian President, Mubarak Cleared of Murder Charges

 

 

The former Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak has been cleared by an Egyptian court of murder charges in connection with the killing of 239 protesters during a 2011 revolt. On Saturday, a Cairo court ruled that it did not have jurisdiction over what it judged to be politically motivated charges, and dismissed the case.

 

The crowd was divided. The pro-Mubarak folks shouted for joy. They were excited and praised the judge for the ruling, shifting the responsibility of the killings to the terrorist group, Muslim Brotherhood. 

 

"No one could remove you. The Egyptian people all love you; from the youngest to the eldest; from the illiterate to the educated," supporter Naema Mohamed said. "We adore you. Of course, we agree. I hope God will help you prevail over your enemies. This is not a victory to yourself but a victory to Egypt and its sons."

 

On the other hand, those against Mubarak said the dead had received no justice. Ramadan Ahmed, whose son Mohammed was shot dead in Alexandria said "There is no justice for the poor. This is Mubarak's law." Another said, "Justice for the martyrs has been lost."

 

However, the Chief judge, Mahmud Kamel al-Rashidi, 63 said he passed the ruling with a clear conscience. "God will ask me what did you do in this world, and specifically what did you do as a judge," he told the court before pronouncing his verdict and brandishing a thick copy of the reasoning behind his decision. He said he dropped the murder charge against Mubarak because the prosecution should not have added him to the case they had initially made against his security chiefs.

 

Mubarak was sentenced to life in prison in 2012 for complicity in the deaths of demonstrators and the breakdown of law and order during the 18-day revolt, but an appeals court subsequently ordered a retrial. He is currently serving a three-year sentence for a separate case.