Mubarak Not Liable for Deaths of Many Protesters: Public Prosecutor

Public prosecutor tells judges in Mubarak trial that ousted president and interior minister 'not responsible' for deaths of many of 846 protesters killed during January uprising.

The trial of ousted president Mubarak, his sons, the former minister of interior and six of the latter's assistants resumed at the police academy in New Cairo on Monday morning.

Lawyers for former minister of interior Habib El-Adly requested the testimony of General Sami Anan, the military’s chief of staff, and a figure close to Tantawi, in relation to the shooting of protesters during the early days of the January 25 Revolution.

Outsted president Mubarak is currently standing trial for shooting protesters in the early days of the revolution, along with former minister of Habib El-Adly and six of his assistants. Mubarak is also standing trial on corruption charges, along with his sons Gamal and Alaa and runaway businessman Hussein Salem.

The lawyer of former police General Ahmed Ramzy , the former head of Central Security Forces, requested that the court release the ousted president and the rest of the defendants for health reasons.

A group of lawyers for the plaintiffs also demanded testimony by General Sami Anan, as well as medical tests for Mubarak so that he might be transferred from the army's international medical center, where he is currently being held, to Tora Prison Hospital.

The public prosecution addressed the court during the session, stating that all martyrs and injured being considered in the case referred to those that were shot in public squares throughout Egypt between 25 January and 11 February 2011, and not to those shot at police stations during the same period.

The public prosecution added that Mubarak and El-Adly were not responsible for the shooting of protesters at police stations.

The public prosecution stated that the number of martyrs that should be included in the shooting of protesters in public squares throughout the country is only 225 victims - not 864 - while the number of injured was1363.

According to official numbers from the ministry of health, 846 martyrs were killed and 6000 injured in the early days of the revolution in clashes between protesters and  security forces.

The prosecution also made it clear to the court that the video recordings needed to proceed in the case were irretrievably damaged and could not be restored.

Outside the police academy, families of martyrs protested against Mubarak, with many demanding his execution.

There have already been minor scuffles between martyrs’ families and security forces at the police academy gate. There are also reportedly a small number of Mubarak supporters outside the police academy.

Court proceedings have been adjourned to Tuesday, 3 January 2012.