Former Egyptian President Mubarak to be questioned over abuse offenses

[News_Editor]

Former Egyptian President Mubarak to be questioned over abuse offenses

2011-04-12 22:08:41 GMT+7 (ICT)

CAIRO, EGYPT (BNO NEWS) -- Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday will stand before authorities to be questioned over financial and power abuse charges in Sinai.

According to Al-Ahram newspaper, this will be the first hearing session over the charges against the ousted leader. The offenses were allegedly committed during his 30-year-long regime which began in 1981.

Mubarak left his Red Sea residence where he is under house arrest and headed towards Al-Tor, the capital of South Sinai governorate. On Tuesday's hearing, he will be questioned over counts of illicit profiteering.

On the other hand, hearings for the two sons of Mubarak, Alaa and Gamal, will take place in Cairo. It was rumored that Mubarak and his family fled to Jordan in order to receive medical care but this was denied by Egyptian authorities.

Authorities admitted that Jordan extended an invitation to Mubarak to receive medical treatment in Amman. However, authorities rejected the offer as the ousted leader continued under house arrest.

The ruling Supreme Military Council also reportedly declined an offer from Saudi Arabia consisting in generous economic assistance package in return for a health amnesty for Mubarak.

Also on Tuesday, a criminal court approved freezing assets and properties of four former ministers: former Prime Minister Atef Ebeid, former Minister of Public Business Sector Mokhtar Khattab, former Agricultural Minister Youssef Wali and businessman Mohamed El-Danaf.

Authorities said that approximately a dozen former ministers and businessmen have been under investigation for corruption or abuse of authority. The military council took control of Egypt after Mubarak stepped down after weeks of anti-government protests by crowds calling for greater democracy and respect of human rights.

On March 30, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces adopted an interim Constitution that includes 9 articles endorsed in the March 19 referendum. The constitutional reform granted the Council full presidential authority, ‎‎including invalidating enacted laws, introducing new legislations and representing the ‎‎country overseas.

In addition, the ruling military council will remain at the helm of the North African country until the upcoming presidential elections, to be held after the parliamentary polls in September. The interim constitution also established that the presidential term will be for four years and could be extended to eight years if re-elected.

On Saturday, hundreds of Egyptians defied soldiers who tried to disperse them from Tahrir Square and vowed to keep protesting until ex-President Mubarak is tried and other demands met. At least one person was killed, 71 injured, and 42 arrested.

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