23-11-2024 12:29 PM Jerusalem Timing

Egypt’s Mubarak out of Prison for House Arrest

Egypt’s Mubarak out of Prison for House Arrest

Egypt’s Husni Mubarak, who left jail for house arrest on Thursday, enjoyed near absolute power for three decades as president before a 2011 uprising overthrew him.

Egypt's Husni Mubarak, who left jail for house arrest on Thursday, enjoyed near absolute power for three decades as president before a 2011 uprising overthrew him.
   
The 85-year-old's spectacular fall from grace sent shock waves across the Middle East and beyond when he announced his resignation on February 11, 2011 after an 18-day popular revolt.
   
Just months later, in April, he was arrested and subsequently charged with various crimes, including corruption and inciting the deaths of at least 850 people killed during the uprising.
 
Last year, he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. He appealed, and a retrial was ordered. His next hearing is scheduled for Sunday with the case likely to drag on for months.
   
On Thursday, he was flown from prison by helicopter to a military hospital, where he will be held under house arrest, after he was cleared for conditional release while the trial continues.

He was convicted for his role in the deaths of protesters and could have received the death penalty when the court handed down sentence on June 2 last year. But he was instead handed a life sentence, before the trial was overturned on the basis of procedural errors.