Speaking to Arab News, they said they had never expected such a trial would ever take place following the Jan. 25, 2011 revolution that overthrew Mubarak and his corrupt regime.

Muhammad Yousuf, a journalist working for Al-Bilad Arabic daily, said it was a historic day for Egyptians. “It differentiates between what Egypt was before and after this date. It comes after reports raising suspicions about whether Mubarak would appear for the trial.”

Yousuf said the trial of Mubarak and his sons would send a strong message to all corrupt rulers and officials that there is nobody above the law and that the sovereignty of the law prevails over all other considerations.

Dr. Sami Al-Ashmouni, a gynecologist working in a Jeddah medical center, said the trial of Mubarak and El-Adly would lead to the opening of several other cases against corrupt officials inside and outside the country.

“I would like to follow this trial closely to find out the many secrets and issues surrounding the Mubarak regime that were hitherto unknown to the Egyptian people,” Al-Ashmouni told Arab News. Mubarak had ruled Egypt more than 30 years.

Abdussamad Galal, an accountant working for a real estate company in Jeddah, said he was expecting a fair trial for Mubarak and his sons as well as the former interior minister and his senior aides.

“The presence of an army of lawyers in the courthouse reflects the tremendous interest in the trial shown by all groups of people in the country,” he pointed out.

Kamal Faraj, another Egyptian working as an editor for Al-Watan Arabic daily, said he has been following the trial with utmost interest. “The first session that took place on Wednesday continued for several hours and I am happy with the decisions made by the judge. It shows that the trial is being taken seriously.”

“This trial is an unprecedented event in the history of Egypt,” said Faraj. “It would open a new chapter in the history of Egypt. It demonstrates that there is nobody above the law. It would also put an end to many negative activities such as misuse of power, mismanagement, bribery and the desire to make quick money by any means,” said Faraj.

Some Egyptians sympathized with Mubarak for appearing in court while lying in the hospital bed and hoped he would receive a fair trial. “We should not blame Mubarak alone for the political corruption and opening fire against demonstrators. There are many others who have misused their positions,” said resident Muhammad Al-Dardir.