Egypt appeals court acquits ex-president Mubarak over protester killings

Egypt's top appeals court on Thursday acquitted deposed president Hosni Mubarak of involvement in the killing of protesters during the 2011 revolt

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab & agencies

02 March, 2017

Mubarak was flown in on a military helicopter for his re-trial [Anadolu]

Egypt's top appeals court on Thursday acquitted deposed president Hosni Mubarak of involvement in the killing of protesters during the 2011 revolt that ended his three-decade reign, a judicial official said.

Thursday's ruling by the Court of Cassation is final.

Mubarak, his interior minister and six aides were sentenced to life in prison in 2012, but another court overturned the verdict two years later.

The 88-year-old ailing former leader resides in a Cairo military hospital, where he served a three-year sentence in a separate corruption case.

No cameras were allowed inside Thursday’s hearing.

For the first time in its history, the Court of Cassation convened at Police Academy for the retrial.

Hundreds of protesters were killed in clashes with police and Mubarak supporters during the 18-day uprising, part of the Arab Spring protests that swept the region.

Led by then defence minister and current president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a military coup overthrew Mubarak’s freely elected successor, Mohammed Morsi, in 2013.

Sisi has since presided over an often-violent crackdown on dissidents, with hundreds killed and thousands thrown in prison.