The State Council’s Administrative Court on Tuesday rejected a lawsuit calling for a referendum to grant amnesty to former President Hosni Mubarak and his family in exchange for surrendering their money.
In its decision, the court said there is no provision in the constitution or the law that allows a referendum to pardon a former president, nor is there a previous administrative ruling in this regard.
The lawsuit was filed by the lawyer Nabih Taha al-Bahy against the military council and the cabinet, contending that Mubarak’s wife, Suzanne, was pardoned after ceding her money.
Former President Mubarak, former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly and six high-ranking security officers are charged with killing protesters during the 18-day uprising last January and February that ended Mubarak’s 30 year rule. Over 850 people were killed during those 18 days, and thousands were injured.
Mubarak, his sons Gamal and Alaa, and businessman Hussein Salem were also tried for corruption in a different case as part of the same proceedings.
Last week Cairo Criminal Court, which oversees the case, concluded its hearings. Judge Ahmed Refaat announced Wednesday that a verdict would be delivered on 2 June.
Some Egyptians feel sympathy for the ousted president. A pro-Mubarak Facebook group called "Ana Asef ya Rayes" (I’m Sorry Mr. President), currently boasts over a hundred thousand members.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
