Update: Mubarak Trial Set for August 3rd

According to al-Masry al-Youm, former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will be tried tomorrow in court, and stands accused of three crimes: “involvement in the killing of protesters during the revolution; impropriety in the sale of five villas… and corruption in gas sales to Israel, charges for which former Petroleum Minister Sameh Fahmi is currently being tried.”

Questions have been raised regarding the reality of Mubarak making a public appearance in court. Mubarak’s sons, former interior minister Habib al-Adly, and six assistants will be transported to the site of the police academy via armored vehicles, while the former president will be transported by plane atop a bed. There is still no word regarding the approximate time of transfer for the ex-president or others.

There are still concerns that Mubarak may be excused from physically standing trial; Sayed Fathy, attorney and member of the Egyptian Front for the Defense of Protesters, said that while a forensic medicine chief can report that a person is well enough to stand trial, the defense may submit a contradicting report, and it is up to the discretion of the court to believe one versus the other. Fathy also worries that because the case was prepared in haste in order to placate protesters’ demands, the charges may be undermined. Presiding Judge Ahmed Refaat announced that the court will remain in session for the entire duration of the case rather than adjourning for up to a month after the first session.