Mubarak could face murder charges: fact-finding panel
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
A fact-finding committee, set up to probe the violence that accompanied Egypt's demonstrations, has filed charges against former president Hosni Mubarak and the-then interior minister Habib al-Adly for intentional murder of protesters.
More than 380 protesters were killed during the demonstrations, which kicked off on Jan. 25 and ended by forcing the strongman to step down on Feb. 11. after handing over the authority to the army.
Thousands of demonstrators were also injured during the protests when police forces fired rubber bullets, live ammunition, water cannon and tear gas at peaceful protesters.
Al-Ahram daily reported on Wednesday that the fact-finding committee submitted its charges to the Public Prosecutor, accusing Mubarak as the head of the government as being "criminally responsible for the death of the protesters."
The charges against al-Adly, who is already facing trial for wasting public funds and money laundry, include giving orders to police forces to open fire at demonstrators, the newspaper said.
A number of high-ranking police officers are currently held and being questioned over ordering the killing of protesters during the revolution against Mubarak.
Egypt's ruling Higher Military Council, meanwhile, is expected to announce a constitutional decree within the next hours that will set a timeframe for elections and civilian rule, after a number of constitutional amendments were approved in a referendum on Saturday.
More than 18 million Egyptians went to the polls; 77% of which approved the reforms.
The expected military decree will set a timeframe for parliamentary elections, expected in September of this year, and the presidential polls that will follow them.
The decree will act as a temporary constitution that will remain in force until a new constitution is drawn up after the new parliament convenes.
The military has said it will lift restrictions on forming political parties after the referendum to help reinvigorate political life.
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