Mubarak may face death penaltyAugust 3, 2011 - 16:56 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak pleaded not guilty of abuse of office, corruption and ordering the killing of protesters during February's uprising in a trial in Cairo on Wednesday, August 3. The charge of ordering the killing of protesters carries the death penalty. "I deny all those charges," Mubarak said. His two sons, Gamal and Alaa, who are being tried together with their father, also pleaded not guilty. The 83-year-old former Egyptian leader arrived in court on a stretcher as a crowd consisting of opposition activists and his supporters gathered outside court, in the southeastern outskirts of Cairo. The trial is seen by many Egyptians as a test of the military government's commitment to democratic reforms in the aftermath of the uprising that ended Mubarak's 29-year-old rule. The court session is being broadcast live by the state TV channel. Along with Mubarak and his sons, former interior minister Habib El-Adly and other Mubarak-era officials are also facing charges. Habib El-Adly's lawyer has denied the former interior minister's involvement in the killing of some 850 protesters on Cairo's Tahrir Square. "The defendant has nothing to do with these incidents," he said. Some 9,000 police officers have been deployed at the Police Academy to ensure security during the trial, RIA Novosti reported. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Aliyev: No peace treaty unless Armenia changes constitution Azerbaijan will not sign a peace treaty with Armenia unless the latter changes its constitution, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. Seven injured in massive gas station explosion in Armenia The Investigative Committee of Armenia has unveiled details about a massive explosion at a gas station on the Yerevan-Sevan highway. Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. |