Hosni Mubarak brought to court to face new trial

, April 13: Former Egyptian president

arrived at a court here on Saturday to face a new

, after an appeal was filed against his life sentence was accepted.

Television footage showed Mubarak, dressed in white and wearing sunglasses, was brought out of an ambulance on a stretcher and taken to Cairo's Police Academy where the trial is being held. The president, whose 30-year-old rule ended in February 2011, had been first brought by a helicopter from the Cairo military hospital where he is currently undergoing treatment, the official MENA news agency said.

A few Mubarak supporters were standing outside the court house at the time of his arrival with posters of their former leader but they were outnumbered by security officers.

The deposed leader's original trial in August 2011 was a major moment for both Egypt and the surrounding region as it was the first time an Arab leader dethroned by his own people personally appeared in a court.

Mubarak, along with his interior minister and six security chiefs will be in the dock over their alleged role in the murder and attempted murder of several peaceful protesters in January 2011. Mubarak's two sons Gamal and Alaa will also be retried on corruption charges. Business tycoon Hussein Salem is being tried in absentia.

Mubarak, who will turn 85 in May, has been plagued by serious health issues and the state news agency even declared him clinically dead at some point as he slipped into coma.

In January, the Court of Cassation, Egypt's highest court, ordered a retrial of Mubarak after accepting an appeal against his life term, on grounds of procedural failings.

President Mohammed Morsi, who took over as Egypt's president after the fall of Mubarak, had also pledged new trials for the former regime officials including the deposed President.

OneIndia News