First witnesses likely to testify in Mubarak trial

Cairo: The first witnesses are likely to testify on Monday in the trial against ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, charged with involvement in the killing of the protesters, when he will appear before a court in Cairo for the third time.

Mubarak will appear along with his two sons Gamal and Alaa, former interior minister Habib El-Adly and six senior officials. In the broadcasted images of earlier two appearances, the 83-year-old ex-President was wheeled into cage in the court on a stretcher, but as per the judge's order now no more sessions will be televised.

The judge had imposed a broadcast ban in the last session for what he called the best interest of the case and its procedures. The decision was welcomed by some analysts who expect the ban to deter fame-seeking lawyers from taking advantage of their position as representatives of the victims.

Eye witnesses are expected to testify in today s session and later be cross examined. With more than four hundred witnesses the case might last well into the next year.

The main charge against Mubarak and the others is deliberate killing of peaceful protesters during the January revolution which ended his 30-year-rule. They are also facing allegations of corruption.

Mubarak, who is suffering from stomach cancer, has been moved from Sharm al-Sheikh to a hospital close to Cairo.

Meanwhile, political activists on social media are preparing for demonstrations on Friday.

One of the points they are objecting to is the fact that political figures are being tried in military courts, while officers accused of killing Egyptians during the revolution have received no sentence yet.

On 3 August, under tremendous public pressure, the government put Mubarak on trial.

Egypt's ruling military council had received harsh criticism from those who believe it has been sluggish in prosecuting former regime officials.

When generals announced last month that Mubarak's trial would be televised, many saw it as an olive branch to protesters worried about a lack of transparency.

Both Mubarak and El-Adly could face death penalty if convicted of ordering the killing of protesters. Mubarak sons face graft charges.

According to reports, at least five lawyers from Kuwait have arrived here to defend the deposed President in the court.