Hosni Mubarak: First Day of Trial Begins in Cairo
After days of speculation as to whether Mubarak's trial would even take place, the trial against Hosni Mubarak has finally begun. The former Egyptian strongman was wheeled into a police academy courtroom on a hospital bed on Wednesday in Cairo.
The 83-year-old former leader was placed behind in a cage for defendants as his trial commenced promptly at 10 a.m.
Mubarak's sons were with him, both with Korans in hand as they seemingly attempted to block their father from the camera's view in the courtroom.
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Following Judge Ahmed Rifaat's questioning of Mubarak's awareness of the charges made against him Mubarak announced, "I deny all these accusations completely."
Mubarak is facing charges of murder and corruption and could receive the death penalty if convicted.
Mubarak's two sons, Gamal and Alaa, will also stand trial for charges of corruption and all three have denied the charges against them.
Mubarak was ousted from his leadership position in February following a 30-year reign of power in highly publicized citizen protests that spread throughout the Arab world.
Mubarak's medical team attempted to help him evade trial claiming that the former Egyptian leader was “unfit” to stand trial due to his current state of weakness that had been exacerbated by preexisting medical conditions and an attempted hunger strike.
However, Egypt's health minister determined last week that Mubarak would be fit to stand trial. Nevertheless, people remained skeptical up to late this morning as to whether Mubarak would actually show up to trial or not.
Only 600 people were allowed in the courtroom today, with a number of the authorized people being family members of those killed during the protests.
Crowds of supporters and opponents gathered outside the Cairo police academy courtroom to watch the trial on a large screen. Scuffles broke out between the two sides and riot police worked to stop them from throwing rocks at each other.
Some critics argue that Mubarak's trial will only seek to strengthen the resolve of the remaining protested leaders in the Arab world such as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Libyan leader Muammar al-Gadaffi.
However, others have faith that the trial of Mubarak will turn a new leaf in Arab history.
Fathi Fraouk, a Mubarak critic that came to the watch the broadcasting shared his perspective on what the trial will symbolize for the Arab world stating, "All of the Arab world has to know that any leader who makes his people suffer will face this fate. From today, history will never be the same."
