As ousted President Hosni Mubarak entered the courtroom on a stretcher to face charges in the deaths of revolution protesters, people responded to a moment many of them imagined they would never see.
ShaimaStreet on Twitter wrote, “Rejoice, mother of the martyr” as Mubarak was brought into the courtroom. NadiaE said, “Very very very emotional moment right now to see Mubarak in courtroom.” And his appearance was enough to make Twitter user Arwasm write in block capitals, “Oh my God! He’s Here!”
For activists and journalists it was also a poignant moment. Alaa Abdel-Fatah wrote “Who would have believed that when we chanted ‘illegitimate’ for the first time in 2004 that we would try him?” Democracy Now journalist Sharif Kouddous wrote, “So many have been waiting and have fought and died for this moment.”
Former State TV presenter Shahira Amin, who quit during the events following 25 January, wrote on Facebook, “First Arab autocrat to go on trial in his own country … come on … Bring on the others.”
Many online noted that former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein had been put on trial after the American invasion of Iraq, but said Mubarak is a different case because he was put on trial by his own people.
Activist Mohamed Abdel-Fatah’s tweet was straightforward and concise: “Death for the dog Mubarak.”
Others said Mubarak appeared confident and defiant as he was wheeled into a cage for the defendants on a stretcher. Mosaaberizing wrote, “Even on a bed in a cage, Mubarak’s eyes seemed to be filled with arrogance, hands resting on chin. Unbelievable.”
