Deposed Egyptian President Mubarak Sentenced To Life In Prison

The trial of ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak ended yesterday with the 84-year-old man getting a life sentence in prison for being complicit in the killing of many protestors who stood up against the government in the midst of the Arab Spring last year. Due to health problems, Mubarak had appeared in court on a hospital gurney at times. The judge’s ruling condemned not just Mubarak but his two sons of corruption.

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Mubarak was the Egyptian ruler for roughly 30 years, and the decision to convict him of being complicit in the killings of over 900 protestors did not come without some backlash, according to the New York Daily News.

Before handing down the sentences, Judge Ahmed Rifaat denounced Mubarak’s reign, deeming it “30 years of darkness” and “a darkened nightmare” that ended only when Egyptians rose up to protest.

“They peacefully demanded democracy from rulers who held a tight grip on power,” the judge said about last year’s uprisings.

The corruption acquittals sparked anger in the courtroom, and lawyers for the victims’ families began to denounce the judge.

“The people want to cleanse the judiciary,” they chanted. A few raised banners that read: “God’s verdict is execution.”

Protests have already begun in Tahrir Square by demonstrators angry at the judge for disciplining Mubarak but “clear[ing] a number of his top officials.”

h/t NY Daily News

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