In downtown Cairo on Wednesday morning, people huddled around television sets to watch an historical moment unfold as former President Hosni Mubarak, his two sons Gamal and Alaa, and former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly faced trial on charges of murder for killing protesters during the 18-day uprising that led to Mubarak’s resignation.
Their gazes were glued to the TV screens in disbelief as they watched the dictator who ruled them for 30 years lying on a hospital bed inside a cage, wearing the white uniform of a defendant.
In a car parts shop downtown, a dozen people stood chatting and waiting in anticipation. When the former president appeared on screen, the observers cheered. Then suddenly quiet fell on the shop. As the employees of the shop and passersby watched the trial, they demanded complete silence, asking anyone who talked to remain quiet.
Many around Cairo expressed joy that some kind of real justice is being served.
“This is a historic day,” said Islam Khalil, a 28-year-old lawyer. “It shows progress and development of our country. I feel that I took my right and the rights of all those who have been living under his suppression.”
Mostafa, who owns a clothing shop in Bab al-Louk, agreed. “Glimpses of justice are finally starting to show in the country. I do not feel sorry for him. If someone stole LE 100 from you, would you be sorry for that person? What if he stole a whole country?" he said.
“The martyrs' children and siblings will feel the need for this trial more than anyone else."
Nour Ibrahim, 29, who works in a clothing shop, said he hopes that this kind of justice will serve as a lesson that will help rid post-Mubarak Egypt of corruption. “I’m extremely happy to see this. Whoever will be in power next will think twice before doing anything wrong because now there’s law in the country.”
Construction worker Mansour Baheeg, 36, was even more adamant: "He stole the country and I hope he is executed. If this happens, Egypt will celebrate. It will be like Eid. If they took less than execution, it will mean there is no justice still."
Not everyone is overjoyed, though. "I have mixed feelings – happiness and fear at the same time,” said Naglaa Ahmed Youssef, a 32-year-old government clerk. “Happiness that the dictator is finally on trial and fear because the military council is dividing people, by spreading rumors about the revolutionaries."
Yasser al-Deeb, a 30-year-old who owns a transportation service company, believes the trial’s sole purpose is to “calm people down.” But that doesn’t mean it’s worth the time and effort.
“Honestly, it wasn’t necessary,” said Deeb, who coincidentally shares the last name of Mubarak’s defense attorney.
“He’s an old man and when he saw the demonstrations, he knew when to leave, unlike other Arab rulers who dragged their countries into civil war.”
