Mubarak to go on trial in August on charges of corruption and murder

Charges allege former Egyptian president 'conspired with the former security chief and other senior police officers to commit premeditated murder, along with attempted murder of those who participated in the peaceful protests around Egypt.'

CAIRO // Hosni Mubarak, who held power in Egypt for nearly 30 years, goes on trial on August 3 charged with corruption and intentionally killing protesters, a court official said yesterday.

The ousted leader's two sons will be tried at the same time on charges of corruption.

The Middle East News Agency said Abdel-Aziz Omar, head of the court of appeals, set the trial date that will put Mr Mubarak and his sons in the dock six months after the former president transferred power to a military council on February 11.

Mr Mubarak could face the death penalty if convicted. At least 846 protesters were killed during the 18-day revolt.

The location of the deposed leader's trial remained unclear, given that a government-appointed panel of physicians determined on Tuesday that Mubarak was too ill to be jailed while awaiting his appearance in court.

The doctors said Mr Mubarak's heart condition put him at risk of a sudden attack. Mr Mubarak has been in custody at a hospital in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh since April.

Since Mr Mubarak was ousted, tens of thousands of protesters have demonstrated repeatedly to press for a trial that would hold Mr Mubarak accountable.

Bahey-eldin Hassan, director of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, said: "The trial is not taking place as part of a smooth judicial process, but only in response to heavy pressures."

The case marks the first time in modern history that an Arab leader has been put on trial by his own people.

Iraq's leader, Saddam Hussein, was toppled during the 2003 US-led invasion. He was captured by US forces and sentenced to death three years later by an Iraqi court that was under the quiet supervision of US officials.

The charges against Mr Mubarak assert that he "conspired with the former security chief and other senior police officers" - already on trial in a criminal court - "to commit premeditated murder, along with attempted murder of those who participated in the peaceful protests around Egypt".

The charges further state that Mr Mubarak and the other officials were involved in "inciting some policemen and officers to shoot the victims, running some of them over to kill them, and terrorising others".

Mr Mubarak and his sons also were charged with abusing power to amass wealth and enrich associates, and of accepting bribes.