For the first time since the start of his trial, former President Hosni Mubarak spoke in self-defense in Thursday’s court session. “I want to clarify that the president’s work is regulated by the constitution, and that he cannot order the shooting of demonstrators,” he said.
Mubarak, his two sons, former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly and six of his aides are charged with killing demonstrators during the 25 January revolution.
The court also heard the testimony of former Interior Minister Mahmoud Wagdy, who was asked about the killing of demonstrators by snipers, and the burning of dossiers belonging to the now-dissolved State Security Investigation Services.
Accompanied by his doctors, Mubarak was flown to the court from the International Medical Center, where he is kept under arrest. His sons, Alaa and Gamal, were brought from Tora Prison under heavy security.
When the court suggested that Mubarak, who seemed in good health, sit on a wheelchair, his doctor said he preferred that he remain lying on a hospital bed inside the caged dock.
Adly spoke to Mubarak, but no one heard what he said. Mubarak did not reply.
Adly looked nervous while Wagdy was testifying, and kept jotting down notes. Neither he nor the other defendants commented on Wagdy’s testimony.
The court was adjourned until Saturday to view video evidence.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
