Hosni Mubarak's trial will resume on August 15

The first day of trial of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was completed in early afternoon Wednesday, August 3 in Cairo. Less than six months after the fall of his regime, carried away by a popular revolt that has killed 840, according to an official report, Hosni Mubarak appeared in a landmark case for Egypt and the Arab world, which was broadcast live public television. The next hearing is set for Aug. 15.

The Rais fallen pleaded not guilty, categorically rejecting all charges against him. Mubarak has been accused of involvement in the killing of demonstrators and corruption.

"All these accusations, I deny them completely," he said. The former president appeared lying on a stretcher in a large cage with bars blacks in the police academy in the capital laid out in court. He remained in custody in a nearby hospital in the city until the next hearing, which he should attend, said the judge. Alaa and Gamal Mubarak, the son of former president accused of corruption, who appeared at his side, also pleaded not guilty.

The lawyers of Hosni Mubarak and his former interior minister, Habib El-Adli, have also asked as witness the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (AFSC), Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, who was for twenty years the minister of defense.

Outside the court, hundreds of people, including victims' families and journalists were gathered and followed the hearing on a giant screen. Supporters of former president clashed with his opponents in the early morning, and when the hearing was adjourned for a break.

Hosni Mubarak, who is aged 83 years and ruled Egypt for 30 years, is accused of conspiring to "commit premeditated murder and attempted murder against the participatnts in peaceful demonstrations in Egypt." He is accused of "inciting the police to take" the demonstrators or to "terrorize". If convicted, Mr. Mubarak is punishable by death.

His lawyer, Farid al-Dib, has argued that Mr. Mubarak is too ill to stand trial and has not authorized the brutal repression of demonstrators. Mr. Al-Dib assured that Mr. Mubarak had cancer and that last week he was in a coma, that the hospital where he was treated for heart problems denied. One of his doctors said he was in a relatively stable but he was weak because he refuses to eat, and is very depressed.

IMPORTANT SAFETY DEPLOYMENT

Before the trial, many Egyptians were skeptical to say his presence in the dock. Others accused the army, in power since his resignation, to aim to avoid "humiliation". But Wednesday morning, Hosni Mubarak left on board an ambulance, the hospital in Sharm el-Sheikh, where he remained confined in her room, in custody since April. He landed in the morning at the military airport of Almaza in Cairo. His son, as his wife Suzanne were held in Tora prison in Cairo.

Mubarak appeared alongside his former interior minister, Habib el-Adli, and six senior police officials. The trial will resume on Thursday July 4. The businessman Hussein Salem, a close Mubarak will, in turn, tried in absentia. All must answer charges of misappropriation of public money and killing of protesters during the revolt.