Egypt court orders Hosni Mubarak freed

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: BBC

An Egyptian court has ordered the release of former President Hosni Mubarak on charges of corruption.

But it is not clear whether he will be freed from prison later on Wednesday. The prosecution may still appeal.

The 85-year-old is also being retried on charges of complicity in the killing of protesters during the uprising that forced him from power in 2011.

He was sentenced to life in jail last year, but a retrial was later ordered after his appeal was upheld.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23783055

[iandhr]

1. Wow

[Amonester]

2. The (US) money stopped 'trickling down' on the judges (...)

There...

money trumps justice

[Lawlbringer]

3. Obviously, the best time for it to happen

is when the country is in upheaval. Calm the populace down by freeing the dictator ousted almost exactly two years earlier.

[branford]

4. Releasing Mubarak is just plain stupid.

A majority of Egyptian have thus far supported the military over the Muslim Brotherhood. Releasing Mubarak will greatly weaken popular support for the military, increase doubt that the army actually intends to hold new democratic elections, and increase the chances for a civil war.

[jessie04]

5. Quite frankly, Egypt was better off with him...

than under Morsi or the military.

[Comrade Grumpy]

8. How refreshing to see an unblushing pro-military dictatorship post.

You do realize Mubarek was for more than 30 years the head of the military dictatorship?

I guess Egypt is better off without all those people the junta just murdered, too?

[branford]

9. He may have been a dictator, but he was OUR dictator.

You can condemn me all you wish, Comrade, and although I believe Mubarak is human trash, he loyally advanced American interests in the region.

I'm not necessarily advocating his return to power or even his release from custody (as I already stated, I think it is a bad idea that will diminish the military's popular support), but right now our choices are between the Muslim Brotherhood and the military. Both choices are incredibly bad. There is no peace-loving, egalitarian, non-corrupt, human-rights supporting, third choice. I wish the Quakers were a political force in Egypt, but you play the cards you are dealt.

We do not have to support a regime simply because it was democratically elected. That is simply madness. At the risk of invoking Godwin's law, Hitler was democratically elected. Hamas also had a democratic mandate, at least before their coup and usurpation of absolute power in Gaza. In fact, the MB's actions after the election appeared entirely undemocratic, even to the casual observer. Edicts immune from judicial scrutiny, oppression of the opposition, unilateral imposition of a new, religious constitution, violence against minority Christians, etc., were not exactly signs of a functioning democracy or much hope for future free and fair elections.

And, quite frankly, I have no problem admitting that my heart does not bleed for the Muslim Brotherhood. They have had no problem, both historically and today, using violence to achieve their aims. The rampant burning of Coptic Christian churches and support of Hamas' firing of rockets at Israel civilian targets, are just two ready examples. The MB's claims to victimhood remind me of Hezbollah's recent lamentations now that they are the recipient of terrorist bombings. Simply, a pox on all their houses!

With respect to Egypt, if there is no party that democratically represents and advances our ideals and beliefs, I will always choose the group that at least represents our political interests, as the lesser of many evils.

[geek tragedy]

10. Kind of like people who suggest that Iraq was better off pre-Bush's invasion were pro-Saddam? nt

[kelliekat44]

6. That's it for fair and free elections in the ME. nt

[Comrade Grumpy]

7. The dictator is to be freed, while the democratically-elected president is imprisoned.

Total victory for the Egyptian deep state.

[geek tragedy]

11. Just like Syria, except there was never the illusion of revolution succeeding there. nt

[dipsydoodle]

12. Hosni Mubarak To Be Placed Under House Arrest

An Egyptian court has ordered the release of ousted former president Hosni Mubarak, according to security sources.

The 85-year-old is being retried on charges of ordering the killing of protesters during the 2011 uprising that led to his downfall.

However, he has already served the maximum amount of pretrial detention permitted in that case.

Egypt's prime minister said the former leader would be placed under house arrest when he is released from prison following more than two years in detention.

http://news.sky.com/story/1131530/hosni-mubarak-to-be-placed-under-house-arrest