Back to ‘Deep state’
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Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has been found not guilty by an Egyptian court, of conspiring to kill more than hundreds of protestors during the 2011 uprising that ousted him from power and ending his three decade rule.
He will however continue serving his three year sentence for other crimes. The court decision came almost four years after the 86 year old despotic ruler was ousted from power. Mubarak’s sons, Alaa and Gamal were also acquitted of corruption charges related to the controversial gas deal in Israel along with his other close aides marking the return of “Deep state” of the Mubarak era. ‘Deep state’ refers to the powerful dictatorial leaders taking control of the country. The Judge, Mahmoud Kamel al-Rashidi, said that the charges against Mubarak were ‘politically motivated’ adding that his conviction in June 2012 that ruled a life imprisonment to Mubarak was flawed and that there were other technicalities. Mubarak had been charged with the death of 239 protestors who demonstrated against his years of despotic rule in Cairo and major Egyptian cities. The court ruling has invited widespread criticism and anger among the relatives and family members of those killed in the 2011 skirmishes.
Mohammad Morsi succeeded Mubarak; but was toppled within a year by Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in July 2013 and was put on trial for igniting violence and incitement to commit murder. He is also facing espionage charges. A massive crackdown against Muslim Brotherhood killed around thousand people and led to the arrests of more thousands. Other liberal and secular activists were also imprisoned for staging protests. Al Sisi, after coming to power had tried to nullify the court verdict on Mubarak as a result of which the court reviewed the decision. Mubarak, who says that he hasn’t done anything wrong, is likely to be free in the days to come emphasizing the return to ‘Deep state’ backed by Sisi. The turbulence gradually stirring up in Tahrir square, is likely to aggravate further with the dictators back on track.