Dubai: Thousands of Egyptians returned to the iconic Tahrir Square on Sunday after a night of rage, as the state prosecutor said he would appeal sentences handed down to Hosni Mubarak and his security chiefs.
“This is the next wave of the revolution … we must make the best of this opportunity and call for a revolutionary trial, Mohammad Abbas, founding member of The Youth Coalition, told Gulf News. This would essentially mean a trial that does not pay heed to lack of evidence or follows the rules of the legal system. He said: “The people will rise,” he added.
Reacting to the verdict, Muslim Brotherhood’s presidential contender Mohammad Mursi vowed to order a retrial if he wins in this month’s run-off vote.
“I promise that upon shouldering responsibility (of presidency) to form a qualified team of investigators and prosecutors to open probes into all crimes committed against the martyrs (slain protesters) across Egypt,” said Mursi.
A judge sentenced Mubarak, 84, and his interior minister Habib Al Adly to life in prison on Saturday for involvement in the killing of hundreds of protesters during the uprising that ousted them from power last year.
Legal experts scotced rumours that Mubarak will be released in three months. Mubarak is already 84 and there is nothing as such in the law or the constitution that those above 84 years and are found guilty in any crime will be freed once they attained the prescribed age.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s general prosecutor lodged an appeal against the acquittal of six senior police officials charged with the killing of protesters during the uprising against Hosni Mubarak, an assistant to the prosecutor said.
Mubarak’s defense has also said it would appeal.
Both the toppled dictator’s defense team and lawyers representing his victims said the life sentence verdict could easily be appealed, triggering fears among protesters that he could be ruled innocent.
Some of the demonstrators slept in tents or out in the open overnight on the vast intersection, epicenter of the 18-day revolt that forced Mubarak to resign on Feb. 11 last year.
“We intend to stay today and possibly tomorrow. We expect a lot more people to come during the day,” said Omar Abdelkader, a young protester in Tahrir on Sunday.
