CAIRO?? The judge trying Egypt's former President Hosni Mubarak for the killing of protesters ordered TV coverage of the trial to end until sentencing takes place and then said the proceedings would reconvene on Sept. 5 to begin hearing evidence in the case.
Hundreds of riot police stood guard outside the courthouse but clashes erupted between a crowd of Mubarak supporters outside the building and a group demanding justice for those killed in the uprising that toppled him six months ago.
"The thief has arrived!" shouted the anti-Mubarak protesters, drawing whistles from his supporters, as the ailing 83-year-old former leader arrived.
"Judge wake up! Mubarak killed my brothers! Execute the killer!" shouted others.
The pro-Mubarak crowd threw stones, the police cordon dividing them broke and the Mubarak supporters chased their opponents away from the court building.
TV coverage to end until sentencing
Judge Ahmed Refaat ordered that the trial be merged with that of former Interior Minister Habib el-Adli and said TV coverage of the trial would end until the sentencing phase.
"Preposterous!," said Sherif Mohamed, an engineer watching the trial outside the court building. "The case is necessary for public opinion. Not airing it live means there is a deal with Mubarak."
In a courtroom packed with excited lawyers, Mubarak looked composed and stern, hands clasped over his chest. An intravenous needle was implanted in his left hand. He was not wearing the regulation white clothes of prisoners.
He exchanged a few words with his sons Alaa and Gamal, also on trial and in the same cage with their father. They sought to shield him from cameras and one of them kissed Mubarak on the forehead to comfort him.
Anger flares outside
A Reuters reporter saw the crowds outside the court building form piles of stones to throw at each other. One protester attacked a policeman. Then police jumped on him and beat him.
"All this hatred is because we let an evil man rule us for 30 years," a senior police officer told Reuters without giving his name.
For generations, Arab world leaders ruled for life and were seldom held to account. But Mubarak now stands accused of authorizing the use of live ammunition to quell protests, of corruption and abuse of power.
The charges against the former air force commander could carry the death penalty. He denied all accusations during the opening session, which was aired live and counted as his first public appearance since Feb. 11.
Medical reports issued after Mubarak was taken to a hospital following initial questioning in April said he was suffering from heart problems, depression and fainting fits.
"I want people to read their history and know what this great man has done for us. He kept Egypt stable. He has been humiliated but he is weathering the storm with pride," said Ehab Sameh, 30, outside the court.
Around 850 people were killed during the uprising and over 6,000 wounded when security forces fired live rounds, rubber bullets and used water cannon and batons against the protesters.
Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44142198/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/
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