From iron fist to iron bars: Mubarak goes on trial

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CAIRO: Ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, whose spectacular downfall sent shockwaves across the region, faces trial Wednesday on charges of murder and corruption that could see him sent to the gallows.

Mubarak, 83, is due to appear in court at the Cairo Police Academy along with his two sons Alaa and Gamal, former interior minister Habib al-Adly and six security chiefs.

Businessman Hussein Salem, a close associate of the Mubaraks, is being tried in absentia in the same case.

They are all accused of stealing millions of dollars from the state and of ordering the killing of over 800 protesters during the January 25 uprising that brought their regime down.

If found guilty on murder charges, Mubarak -- who ruled Egypt with an iron fist for 30 years -- could face the death penalty, the justice minister has said.

The former leader is currently in custody in a Sharm el-Sheikh hospital, where he is being treated for a heart condition.

A Cairo trial was a key demand of protesters whose relations with the ruling military and government have strained in the past weeks partly over accusations that they are delaying trials of former regime officials.

Despite his ouster, Mubarak remains a thorn in the side of the military which took over power after the strongman was overthrown by 18 days of street protests.

Like all Egyptian presidents before him, Mubarak is a military man, which puts the ruling Supreme Council Armed Forces (SCAF) in an awkward position because he is one of their own.

The SCAF head and the country's de facto ruler, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, was Mubarak's defence minister for two decades.

Putting the man who ran the country for more than 30 years on trial could prove difficult, simply because he knows too much, analysts say.

Few would have imagined a Mubarak trial a few months ago, and many still don't believe it will happen.

But the military leadership, which has come under fire for stifling dissent and is accused by activists of stalling reforms, is eager to show it is fulfilling its promise of bringing to justice all those accused of abuse.

Judge Ahmed Refaat, the head of the Cairo Criminal Court trying Mubarak, vowed a speedy trial.

He said the sessions would be aired live on Egyptian television to "reassure people of the (credibility of the) process."

The trial would be "held daily until its conclusion," he said in a statement that comes in response to the widespread public belief that the opening hearing would be immediately adjourned.

Despite the army's promises that the trial will take place on schedule in Cairo, questions remain on whether the former president's health will allow him to appear.

The topic of much speculation, his medical state is shrouded in confusion and contradictory statements, as critics accuse him of malingering to avoid trial.

Last week, Health Minister Amr Hilmi told reporters that Mubarak's health was "good" and that he was fit to be moved to Cairo.

Wednesday's trial, which will be attended by 600 people, is the latest in a string of legal proceedings against members of the Mubarak era.

Dozens of ministers, officials and businessmen associated with the old regime are currently in prison pending investigation into a range of charges.

Several ministers have already been sentenced to jail in corruption cases. (AFP)