The Egyptians said they wanted the investigations to proceed as quickly as possible so that Mubarak and his sons , who are being investigated over allegations of corruption, abuse of power and the death of several protesters, could be held accountable.
Gamal and Alaa were taken to Cairo's Torah prison, where several former top regime figures — including the former prime minister, the ruling party chief and Mubarak's chief of staff — are being held.
The arrest of Mubarak and his sons follows a demonstration by tens of thousands in Cairo's central Tahrir Square on Friday, the biggest rally in weeks. The protesters had demanded Mubarak and his family be put on trial, and many in the crowd accused the military of protecting the former president.
The 82-year-old Mubarak, who only months ago appeared unchallenged in his control of Egypt, stepped down on Feb. 11 after nearly 30 years of rule. Even after his fall, he seemed untouchable, living with his family at a palace in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh.
“After his dethronement Mubarak has become an ordinary man and the legal action against him should take place in accordance with normal procedures. The Egyptian authorities have said that nobody is above the law whatever his previous position,” said Samir Awad, a legal consultant.
Islam Nafie, who works for a public relations agency, said the investigation against Mubarak, his wife Suzanne and their sons showed that the whole family was probably involved in corruption.
“The action against Mubarak and his family will strengthen public confidence in the military government,” he said.
According to Jamal Hammam, a journalist, it was for the first time that an Egyptian or even an Arab president was facing an investigation. “The trial of Mubarak and his family will receive wide international media attention,” he said.
