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Hosni Mubarak
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Egyptian official: Mubarak may face execution

Cairo Justice Ministry officials say deposed president could face death penalty or life imprisonment if convicted of corruption, complicity to murder

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak could face execution or life imprisonment if he is convicted of the charges of corruption, complicity to murder, and embezzlement of public funds, Cairo's al-Ahram weekly reported.

 

Mubarak, who has been hospitalized due to his failing health, has been remanded for an additional 15 days this week.

 

Egypt's Justice Minister Mohammed al-Gindi told the publication that Mubarak could face the death penalty if he was found guilty of ordering the shooting of demonstrators during the uprisings that brought him down.

 

El-Guindi blamed Mubarak for the country's widespread corruption during his almost 30-year-rule.

 

An official Egyptian Prosecution statement said that Mubarak has been questioned on two serious charges: ordering the killing of pro-democracy protesters in Tahrir Square and elsewhere in the country, and orchestrating the sale of Egypt’s natural gas to Israel, at very cheap prices.

 

The questioning of Mubarak came just a few days after several of his defunct ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) senior officials and business tycoons came under investigation on charges of involvement in mass murder, corruption and profiteering.

 

Mubarak's sons and wife are also under investigation. Mubarak has vehemently denied ever giving orders to open fire on protesters.

 

An Egyptian committee of inquiry named by the new military governing council to probe the violence which took place during the Egyptian unrest, however, has ruled the statement a lie.

 

Several judicial experts believe that Mubarak may be executed or jailed for life if convicted of the charges against him. Zakaria Shalash, a legal expert, said Mubarak could face execution if found guilty of ordering the killing of protesters and peddling influence to embezzle public funds.

 

AP contributed to this report

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 04.30.11, 14:51
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