Mubarak, sons detained for 15 days

Wednesday, 13 April 2011

A protester defaces a picture of Hosni Mubarak in Alexandria. (File photo)

By ABEER TAYEL and SARA GHASEMILEE
Al Arabiya

Egypt detained former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak for 15 days pending investigation over corruption and the killing of protesters, the prosecutor said on Wednesday.

In a statement on the public prosecutor's Facebook page, a spokesman said the prosecutor Abdel Maguid Mahmoud authorised the detentions "as part of an inquiry into the use of force against protesters during the unrest in January and February."

Earlier, the state television reported that the former president was still receiving treatment at a hospital in Sharm al-Sheikh as the public prosecutor ordered the detention of his powerful sons, Alaa and Gamal, for 15 days over corruption and abuse of authority.

Detaining Mr. Mubarak and his two influential sons is the most dramatic in a series of investigations against top regime officials. The development comes just hours after the 82-year-old former president was admitted to a hospital with heart problems. He too was being questioned about the killing of protesters in a revolution that toppled him. The inquiry is also focusing on alleged corruption in his administration.

The former president's questioning followed protests by reformists who accused Egypt's military rulers of protecting him from prosecution.

Alaa (L) and Gamal Mubarak

State television said Mr. Mubarak suffered a "heart crisis" during questioning and said he had been taken into intensive care. But Al Arabiya TV quoted a hospital manager as saying that Mubarak was fit enough to be questioned.

The state-owned Al Ahram newspaper reported the former president had been summoned to appear in a Cairo court. Its Website later said the ex-president might not have to travel now because of his illness, according to Reuters.

In a sign that Mr. Mubarak's ailment might not be very serious, however, Justice Minister Mohammed al-Guindi said he was questioned in his hospital suite for his role in the violence against protesters, according to The Associated Press.

Egypt's generals, in charge since Mubarak quit on February 11, have faced increasingly loud calls from protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square for Mr. Mubarak and his allies to stand trial.

As a police van with drawn curtains took away the two brothers, an angry crowd of 2,000 people pelted it with water bottles, stones and their flip-flops, a sign of disrespect in the Arab world, AP reported.

The increasing role of the younger son Gamal Mubarak, 47, in the government over the last decade and the belief that he might succeed his father helped galvanize Egypt's protest movement.

Gamal Mubarak is also believed to be the architect of Egypt's privatization program and economic liberalization, which has brought in billions in foreign investment but has also widened the gap between rich and poor.

Hosni Mubarak stepped down from the Egyptian presidency on February 11 after three decades in office as nationwide protests erupted on January 25, leaving an estimated 800 people dead over the next several weeks.

On Sunday, Al Arabiya TV aired an audiotape with Mubarak where he denied any wrongdoing and complained that he was the victim of a smear campaign. He said he welcomed the probe of his family’s foreign assets. But his defiance in threatening lawsuits against the media left many Egyptians who had been waiting for his prosecution angry and frustrated.

After he stepped down, Mr. Mubarak and his family moved to a lavish residence in Sharm el-Sheikh. He had vowed to die in Egypt when he addressed the country’s 80 million people shortly before resigning from his post.

Weekly demonstrations demanding his trial have attracted thousands of Egyptians. A protester died last Saturday during clashes with the military in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

(Abeer Tayel of Al Arabiya can be reached via email at: abeer.tayel@mbc.net; Sara Ghasemilee, also of Al Arabiya, can be reached at: sara.ghasemilee@mbc.net)

Laid off construction workers join Yemen protests

Hundreds of day labourers hope finding day’s work from passing contractors, but many wait all day in vain.

Middle East Online

One million day labourers depend on the construction industry for a living SANAA - Faris Ubad, 34, is one of hundreds of day labourers who get up at the crack of dawn and make their way - with their shovels, hammers and other construction tools - to the Dar Salm intersection in southern Sana’a in the hope of finding a day’s work from passing contractors. But many wait all day in vain: Since the political unrest began a few weeks ago, the construction sector has all but come to a standstill. "It has been more than 35 days since I picked up any work… I was forced to sell our TV set last week to feed my wife and four children, Ubad, who in the past worked as a builder’s mate, told IRIN. According to recent government statistics, more than one million day labourers depend on the construction industry for a living, with most earning the equivalent of about US$9 a day. "The construction sector is currently experiencing unprecedented stagnation. As a result, hundreds of thousands of labourers are left without any income," said Mohammed Ayish, an economist in the Ministry of Planning & International Cooperation. Investors and contractors have either suspended construction projects or are watching and waiting until calm returns. "Project owners told us to stop until the political crisis ends," Ali Sarari, a Sana’a construction contractor, told IRIN. The devaluation of the Yemeni riyal over the past couple of months has caused imported construction materials like iron and cement to rise sharply in price, and the riyal has fallen from 214 to 238 to the US dollar in the past month. The Central Bank of Yemen has not made any attempt to stabilize the riyal, Mohammed al-Hadhari, an exchange dealer, told IRIN. Reduced demand for construction materials Businessman Hefdhullah al-Ansi said demand for construction materials had declined by 70 percent. "I used to sell more than YR500,000-worth of construction materials a day, but now it is YR200,000 maximum," he told IRIN, adding that he has had to lay off four of his six workers. Instead of staying idle, many of the unemployed have joined demonstrations organized by the youth movement near Sana’a University. They see the protests as an opportunity to air their grievances. "We need change. We need to have access to free health care. We need a new government with good economic policies," construction worker Saif Ahmad, currently camping out with the university protesters, told IRIN. Hundreds of casual workers are now camping out with the young protesters near the university, economist Ayish told IRIN. "They have found somewhere they can get food and express their demands; they spend their time participating in anti-government demonstrations." © IRIN

Focus of Libya conflict shifts to Qatar

International contact group meets Transitional National Council in gradual step towards international recognition.

Middle East Online

By Marc Burleigh - BENGHAZI

The focus of the Libyan conflict shifts to the Gulf state of Qatar on Wednesday, with the rebel shadow government being given the chance to address an international contact group. Libya's former foreign minister Mussa Kussa will be present in Doha, but rebels made it clear he would not be representing them in any way at talks ahead of the meeting. An African Union peace plan for Libya was in tatters after rebels stuck to their demand that Moamer Gathafi step down and NATO came under pressure to drop more bombs on the strongman's forces. The Libyan opposition's Transitional National Council will address the contact group, an invitation that marks another step in the armed rebel group's gradual march toward international recognition as an alternative voice for Libya's people. In London on March 29, the TNC was not permitted to attend the plenary session of an international ministerial conference on the crisis, although its envoys held bilateral talks with several world powers on the sidelines. But French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said this time, TNC members "will appear before the contact group." Since London, with Gathafi continuing to defy NATO air strikes and with mounting calls for him to quit, the opposition council has gained support and recognition, notably from France, Italy and Qatar. Valero said France would welcome the group playing a bigger role at the Wednesday meeting of around 20 countries, at foreign minister level, and international bodies. Speaking in Doha, rebel spokesman Mahmud Shammam said "we want to move from the de facto recognition of the council to an internationally recognised legitimacy." The rebels were keen to distance themselves from Kussa, the former foreign minister. "He's not connected to (the) Transitional National Council in any way or shape," media liaison official Mustafa Gheriani told AFP. The British Foreign Office said Kussa was leaving Britain to travel to Qatar for talks ahead of the meeting. The African Union peace plan looked to be dead in the water after rebels dismissed a ceasefire out of hand. Having managed to secure Gathafi's agreement to a truce, the AU delegation encountered resistance from the rebel leadership in Benghazi, who argued that the initiative was obsolete and insisted Gathafi be forced to quit. "Due to a political demand set as a precondition by the Transitional National Council to launching urgent talks on the implementation of a truce, it was not possible at this stage to reach an agreement on the key issue of a cessation of hostilities," an AU statement said. In Benghazi, rebel leader Mustafa Abdul Jalil said the African initiative did not go far enough. "From the first day the demand of our people has been the ouster of Gathafi and the fall of his regime," he said. "Gathafi and his sons must leave immediately if they want to be safe... Any initiative that does not include the people's demand, the popular demand, essential demand, we cannot possibly recognise." The rebels also doubted Gathafi would adhere to a truce. "The world has seen these offers of ceasefires before and within 15 minutes (Gathafi) starts shooting again," TNC spokesman Shamsiddin Abdulmolah said. With outgunned rebel forces making little headway in their bid to oust Gathafi's regime, British Foreign Secretary William Hague urged NATO allies to intensify military operations in Libya. "We must maintain and intensify our efforts in NATO, that is why the United Kingdom has in the last week supplied additional aircraft capable of striking ground targets threatening the civilian population of Libya," Hague said. "Of course it would be welcome if other countries also do the same," he said in Luxembourg before a meeting of EU foreign ministers. "There is always more to do." Thousands of lives had been saved thanks to air strikes that were launched by Western powers on March 19. These prevented Gathafi's forces from storming Benghazi, Libya's second largest city, three weeks ago, Hague said. "A huge amount has been achieved in Libya but clearly there is more to be done," he continued. "Of course, to have any viable, peaceful future for Libya, Colonel Gathafi needs to leave." His comments came just hours after his French counterpart, Alain Juppe, had said France's NATO allies were not pulling their weight in Libya and their forces should do more to help destroy Gathafi's heavy weaponry. "NATO must fully play its role, and it is not doing so sufficiently," the minister told France Info radio, adding that France would bring the matter up with EU ministers on Tuesday and with NATO in Berlin on Thursday. France which, with Britain and the United States, led the drive for air strikes, was sceptical about handing political control of the operation to the Western alliance. In Washington, the Pentagon said it had no plans to alter its role in the air campaign in Libya, with NATO allies taking the lead in air strikes. "We're not reassessing whether or not we should stick with the strategy," said press secretary Geoff Morrell. The US military's ground-attack aircraft remained on standby pending a request from the allied commander of the air operation, officials said. On the ground, there were reports that rebels and Gathafi forces have again clashed in the mountainous western region around Zintan. And in Luxembourg, TNC official Ali al-Isawi said Gathafi's troop had killed 10,000 people since the rebellion broke out in mid-February, with another 30,000 wounded and 20,000 missing. There is no way to independently confirm those figures. Meanwhile, Gathafi's son, Seif al-Islam, acknowledged that it was time for "new blood" in Libya, but said talk of his father stepping down was "truly ridiculous." "The Libyan guide (Gathafi) does not want to control everything. He is at an advanced age. We would like to bring a new elite of young people onto the scene to lead the country and direct local affairs," he told France's BFM TV.

Dissident Yemen army unit, police clash

Four policemen, officer in army unit that has sided with anti-regime protesters killed in overnight clash north of Sanaa.

Middle East Online

Brothers in arms SANAA - Four policemen and an officer in an army unit that has sided with anti-regime protesters were killed in an overnight clash at a checkpoint north of Yemen's capital, a military official said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Yemen's army shot dead an anti-regime protester and wounded four others in clashes in the main southern city of Aden on Wednesday, medics and witnesses said. The army opened fire on anti-regime protesters who were trying to block roads in the city, in an attempt to implement a general strike which they have vowed will take place every Saturday and Wednesday, the sources said.

Mubarak, two sons detained for 15 days

Mubaraks are to be asked about allegations they were connected to crimes of assault against protesters in Egypt.

Middle East Online

By Ines Bel Aiba - CAIRO

The inquiry begins Egypt's ex-president Hosni Mubarak has been placed in detention for 15 days, prosecutors said Wednesday shortly after state media reported his two sons had also been detained. In a statement on the public prosecutor's Facebook page, a spokesman said the prosecutor Abdel Maguid Mahmoud authorised the detentions "as part of an inquiry into the use of force against protesters during the unrest in January and February." Mubarak was admitted to hospital on Tuesday in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh shortly after suffering a heart attack during questioning by prosecutors, state media said. It was not immediately clear where his 15-day detention would take place. Earlier, state television said Mubarak's two sons had also been detained. "It has been decided to imprison Gamal and Alaa for 15 days for the needs of the inquiry," the report said. They are accused of incitement to fire at demonstrators during a popular uprising that lasted from January 25 till February 11 when Mubarak reluctantly stepped down. Nearly 800 people died during the uprising. A security source said the two brothers were heading for the Tora prison in Cairo from the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh where they were interrogated. On Sunday, public prosecutor Abdel Magid Mahmud ordered the inquiry, as part of a sweeping probe into corruption and abuse. The Mubaraks were to be asked about allegations that they were "connected to the crimes of assault against protesters, leading to deaths and injuries", the official MENA news agency said. Prosecutors had begun questioning Mubarak and his son Gamal earlier on Tuesday, Justice Minister Abdel Aziz al-Guindi said, adding that the questioning over acquiring wealth illegally had not yet started "as that will be handled by the department of illicit gains". State television reported that Mubarak had refused to eat or drink since he received news on Tuesday morning that he was to be questioned. He was admitted by his bodyguards to the VIP wing of the Sharm el-Sheikh International Hospital, the report said, adding that the hospital was not accepting any patients except for emergency cases. Police cars and ambulances surrounded the hospital, as well as a heavy military police presence, the television said. The former president was dressed in a black and white track suit, a witness said. Asked if Mubarak was in good health, hospital director Mohammed Fathallah replied: "Somewhat." The state-owned daily Al-Ahram, citing sources in Sharm el-Sheikh, said on its website that Mubarak had gone to hospital "under the pretext of being unwell in order to avoid facing questioning". The former president was also to be quizzed about allegations of graft, MENA added. The prosecutor's summons came after the broadcast of an audio tape in which Mubarak defended his reputation and after weeks of mounting protests calling for him to be put on trial. In the audio message aired on the pan-Arab television network Al-Arabiya, Mubarak complained he was the victim of a smear campaign. He pledged his assistance in a probe of his family's foreign assets, but his defiance in threatening lawsuits against the media angered Egyptians who have been pressing for his trial. After he resigned, Mubarak and his family moved to a residence in Sharm el-Sheikh. Although he is subject to a travel ban, his relative freedom has been a thorn in the side of the military rulers. Weekly protests demanding his trial have attracted tens of thousands and eventually led to a deadly clash with soldiers early Saturday after they tried to clear an overnight demonstration in Cairo's Tahrir Square.

Mubarak suffers heart attack during grilling

CAIRO: Egypt’s former president Hosni Mubarak suffered a “heart crisis” Tuesday during questioning over the killing of protesters and embezzling of public funds and is now in intensive care, state media said.

Mubarak’s admission came as prosecutors began questioning his sons, Alaa and Gamal, in the south Sinai capital of Al-Tor, a judicial source said.

Mubarak was admitted to the Sharm El-Sheikh International Hospital in the Red Sea resort where has been living with his family since nationwide protests forced him to step down in February.

State television reported that Mubarak had refused to eat or drink since he received news Tuesday morning that he was to be questioned.

On Sunday, public prosecutor Abdel Magid Mahmud ordered the inquiry, as part of a sweeping probe into corruption and abuse.

Nationwide protests that erupted on Jan. 25 forced Mubarak to give up his 30-year grip on power and hand the reins to a military council.

“Mubarak was admitted to the Sharm El-Sheikh International Hospital this afternoon, amid a very heavy security presence in the town,” a security source told AFP.

He was admitted by his bodyguards to the VIP wing of the hospital, state television reported, adding that the hospital was not accepting any patients except for emergency cases.

Police cars and ambulances surrounded the hospital, as well as a heavy military police presence, the television said.

The former president was dressed in a black and white track suit, a witness said.

Asked if Mubarak was in good health, hospital director Mohammed Fathallah replied: “Somewhat.”

The state-owned daily Al-Ahram, citing sources in Sharm El-Sheikh, said on its website that Mubarak had gone to hospital “under the pretext of being unwell in order to avoid facing questioning.”

The Mubaraks were to be asked about allegations that they were “connected to the crimes of assault against protesters, leading to deaths and injuries,” the official MENA news agency said Sunday.

The riots, which saw repeated clashes between protesters, and police and Mubarak loyalists left an estimated 800 people dead and more than 6,000 injured.

The former president was also to be quizzed about allegations of graft, MENA added.

The prosecutor’s summons came after the broadcast of an audio tape in which Mubarak defended his reputation and after weeks of mounting protests calling for him to be put on trial. In the audio message aired on the pan-Arab television network Al-Arabiya, Mubarak complained he was the victim of a smear campaign.

– Agence France-Presse

Hosni Mubarak detained over corruption allegations

Former Egyptian president's arrest follows detention of his two sons on Tuesday night

Adam Gabbatt, Jack Shenker and agencies
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 13 April 2011 08.22 BST
Article history

Hosni Mubarak was brought to hospital on Tuesday night after reportedly suffering a heart attack during questioning. Photograph: DENNIS BRACK/POOL/EPA

Egypt's former president, Hosni Mubarak, has been detained as authorities in the country investigate allegations of corruption and abuse of his authority.

His detention comes after the 82-year-old reportedly suffered a heart attack while being questioned on Tuesday night.

Mubarak's two sons, Gamal and Alaa, have also been detained after being questioned over corruption claims into the early hours of Wednesday morning.

A statement from the prosecutor general's office announcing Mubarak's detention said the ongoing investigation was into allegations of corruption, the squandering of public funds, and the abuse of authority for personal gain.

"The prosecutor general orders the detention of former president Hosni Mubarak and his sons Gamal and Alaa for 15 days pending investigation after the prosecutor general presented them with the current state of its ongoing investigations," it said.

Egypt's interim government issued subpoenas to Mubarak and his sons over the weekend, compelling them to testify in court over claims that they illicitly acquired wealth and abused their power during the former president's reign.

The announcement of their detention came just hours after Mubarak was hospitalised with heart problems in Sharm el-Sheikh. He has been in internal exile in the Red Sea resort since Egypt's mass uprising earlier this year.

In a sign his health may not be in immediate danger, justice minister Mohammed el-Guindi said questioning of the former president continued in hospital.

While the ex-president was in hospital – where he is expected to remain for the period of his detention – his sons were taken for questioning to a local court by prosecutors from Cairo.

Gamal Mubarak, his younger son, was a top official in the ruling party and was widely seen as being groomed to succeed his father before 18 days of popular protests brought down the regime on 11 February.

An angry crowd of 2,000 people gathered outside and demanded the two be arrested.

Then, in the early hours of the morning, the head of provincial security in the South Sinai told the crowd that Gamal and his businessman brother Alaa would be detained.

"Brothers, whatever you wanted, you have got … 15 days," said Major General Mohammed el-Khatib, as the crowd erupted in cheers.

As a police van with drawn curtains took away the two brothers, the crowd pelted it with water bottles, stones and their shoes, a sign of disrespect in the Arab world.

About 800 people are estimated to have been killed during the protests as police opened fire and cracked down on the crowds. Authorities are now investigating government officials for their role in ordering the violence.

Gamal is also believed to be the architect of Egypt's privatisation program and economic liberalisation, which has brought in billions in foreign investment but has also widened the gap between rich and poor.

Many of his close associates were billionaires and held top positions in the ruling party and the government.