Egypt's attorney general ordered early on Wednesday that former President Hosni Mubarak and his sons be detained for 15 days pending murder and corruption investigations.
While Mubarak remains in the hospital after a heart attack on Tuesday, doctors have confirmed it is safe for him to undergo questioning. His sons on Wednesday morning were transferred by military aircraft to Tora Prison, where other figures from the former regime are also being detained.
The ousted president is accused of involvement in approving the murder of protesters, manipulating public funds, abusing power and profiteering. His sons face allegations related to corruption.
Several media outlets including the Associated Press, Al Jazeera and the state-run Nile News confirmed Attorney General Abdel Meguid Mahmoud's orders.
The decision marks the first time a former Egyptian president has been detained for investigation, and it comes several days after the protests that toppled Mubarak regained momentum with calls for Mubarak and his sons to be arrested.
Alaa and Gamal Mubarak arrived at Tora Prison at 6 am Wednesday, after being questioned at an investigations office in South Sinai. Sources told Al-Masry Al-Youm they were dressed in white prison uniforms and handcuffed after their arrival.
The location where Mubarak will serve his detention has not been confirmed.
On Sunday, Mahmoud summoned Mubarak for questioning shortly after a pre-recorded audio statement by the former president aired on the Saudi satellite channel Al-Arabiya. In the statement, Mubarak defended himself against accusations that he has illegitimate assets abroad.
Egypt's public prosecution explained on its Facebook page that according to the Interior Ministry, the Mubaraks will be questioned outside of Cairo because there are too many security concerns involved in transferring them into the city.
