The verdict in Mubarak’s mock trial in Tahrir Square has been postponed to next Friday after both the prosecution and the crowd demanded the death sentence for the ousted president and his men.
Mubarak, along with Fathi Sorour, Zakareya Azmi and Safwat al-Sherif — considered leaders in his regime — face charges of sabotaging the political, economic and social life of Egypt, killing protesters and abusing power.
Thousands huddled around the stage to attend on Friday, while a handcuffed protester locked in a cage and wearing a Mubarak mask represented the former president.
“This gang, that refused to appear before you, has a superhuman ability to destroy minds, falsify the truth, steal and take lives. We urge the court not to have any mercy towards it and to issue a verdict of execution to all of its members,” stated the prosecution.
Former vice-chairman of Egypt's Court of Cassation, Mahmoud El Khodeiry, is heading the trial. He had already postponed the verdict last Friday to give Mubarak and the others a chance to come to the square and defend themselves. He announced that if they failed to show up, a verdict will be issued in absentia and the protesters will go and get Mubarak from his mansion in Sharm El Sheikh.
This week, the court listened to the prosecution and witnesses' testimonies against the ousted president. El Khodeiry cancelled the defense in response to the people’s demands — the audience yelled “get down” when the defense lawyer took the stage last week.
The mother of Khaled Said, the 28-year-old whose brutal murder at the hands of police officers is believed to be one of the main triggers of the revolution, testified against the falling regime, asking: “What did Khaled do? He’s not the one who stole, killed and detained Egypt’s youth. Who do I hold responsible for his death?”
Protesters gave the grieving mother a warm welcome and chanted “We are all Khaled Said,” a slogan that has become a trademark of the revolution.
Experts testified that the regime was responsible for the deterioration of many sectors in Egypt. They also accused former officials of embezzlement, destroying the country’s institutions and collaborating with Israel to curb the popular resistance in Lebanon and Palestine.
Ibrahim Zahran, an international petrol expert, handed the court incriminating documents concerning Mubarak’s bank accounts.
El Khodeiry announced, to the crowd’s disappointment, the postponement of the verdict until next week in order to take the new testimonies and documents presented into account.
