Mubarak sentenced to life in prison

CAIRO, Egypt – An Egyptian court sentenced former president Hosni Mubarak to life in prison on Saturday, June 2, after convicting him of involvement in the murder of protesters during the uprising that ousted him last year.

The 84-year-old former president is the first former leader to be tried in person since the start of the Arab Spring in early 2011.

His lawyer said they would appeal the case.

Also given a life term for the killings was Mubarak’s former interior minister Habib al-Adly, while 6 former police commanders were acquitted.

Meanwhile, corruption charges against Mubarak’s sons, Alaa and Gamal, were dropped.

BBC News reported there was shouting and scuffles between rival groups present in the court room after the verdict was read.

Judge Ahmed Refaar, according to BBC, insisted the 10-month trial had been a “fair one” and said Egyptians had suffered 3 decades of darkness under Mubarak’s rule.

Ruler for 30 years, Mubarak faced a possible death sentence over the killing of about 850 protesters by security forces in 2011. – Rappler.com