Egyptian Court Orders Retrial For Mubarak

Photo Credit: AP

An Egyptian court ordered a retrial for former president Hosni Mubarak and former interior minister Habib al-Adly,  who are serving life sentences for their roles in the killings of protesters in the 2011 revolution. Mubarak will also be retried on corruption charges of which he was acquitted in June. Mohamed Abdel Razek, one of Mubarak’s lawyers, said, ”No new evidence will be added to the case.” Reacting to the order, a senior adviser to Mubarak’s successor, President Mohamed Morsi, said that the administration looks forward to a second trial. No date has been set for the trial.

Mubarak’s first trial sparked indignation among some Egyptians and human rights groups because of its failure to address other abuses committed during his presidency. His retrial may revive these frustrations and could agitate protests among his opponents in the lead-up to the upcoming parliamentary elections. Mubarak’s declining health may also play a role in his retrial.