Supporters of Hosni Mubarak rallied outside the Police Academy Tuesday as defense lawyer Farid al-Deeb ended his arguments and the historic trial of Egypt's ousted leader adjourned for the day.
About 200 Mubarak supporters rallied outside the academy in the Fifth Settlement, holding up Egyptian flags and photos of the leader whose rule lasted nearly three decades. Their slogans angered about 100 members of martyrs' families also outside the building, who hope Mubarak will receive the death penalty.
Security forces prevented clashes between the two groups by setting up barriers and bringing in more troops.
Inside the academy, Deeb defended Mubarak against charges of ordering the killing of protesters during the 25 January revolution that forced him to resign. Mubarak supporters applauded while lawyers for families of those killed chanted, calling for Mubarak and the other defendants to be sentenced to death.
Security officers led Deeb, the defense team and the defendants out of the court through a back gate after the session ended to separate them from plaintiffs' lawyers angry about Deeb's arguments.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
