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August 19, 2013 3:47 pm
Egypt court clears way for Mubarak to be freed
Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted in a popular uprising in 2011, could soon be released from prison after a judge cleared him in one of the corruption cases against him – a decision likely to exacerbate Egypt’s political strife.
Mr Mubarak and his two sons, Gamal and Ala, have been in custody for the past two years pending several trials on accusations ranging from complicity in the killing of protesters in the 2011 uprising to squandering funds and accepting gifts from state newspapers.
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In June last year, Mr Mubarak was sentenced to life in prison for the killing of protesters but a retrial was ordered in January because of procedural failings. Mr Mubarak and his sons were cleared of corruption charges in the first trial.
Mr Mubarak’s lawyer had argued in April that he had spent the maximum time in prison under temporary detention. Monday’s decision means Mr Mubarak is no longer required to stay in prison although he still faces a retrial after appeals from the prosecution and defence.
Experts said that while the legal process might seem sound, the timing of the verdict could further fuel Egypt’s political crisis.
“This might legally be right, but if he is released it may lead to dangerous consequences in the street given the political atmosphere in Egypt,’’ said Mohamed Hashim, an Islamist activist and human rights lawyer. “There is an impression that the judiciary is politicised. This will also alienate the revolutionaries who stood by the army coup.’’
Mr Mubarak, who is being held at Tora prison on the southern outskirts of Cairo, was recently joined in detention by senior members of the Muslim Brotherhood held after President Morsi was ousted on July 3.
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