- CAIRO: Egypt’s military ruler and one-time confidant of Hosni Mubarak is leading the list of former regime insiders called to testify in the trial of ousted leader on charges of ordering the deaths of protesters.
Lawyers gathered at a courtroom Sunday to await Mubarak and Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, who took power when mass demonstrations toppled Mubarak in February. Tantawi is believed to have firsthand knowledge of Mubarak’s decisions.
Nearly 900 people died in the unrest.
Mubarak’s trial depends heavily on accounts by Tantawi and other members of the former president’s inner circle who are expected to testify in the coming days.
The sessions are closed to the media and public. All reporting on the proceedings is banned.