Egypt’s ousted ruler Hosni Mubarak has been referred to a criminal court over his alleged role in the fatal shooting of dozens of anti-government protesters.
Mubarak, along with his sons Alaa and Gamal, also faces charges relating to alleged corruption during his 30-year tenure as president of Egypt.
He was ousted from office on February 11 after weeks of pro-democracy demonstrations. Around 800 people are believed to have been killed in a crackdown on unrest.
Mubarak is accused of having ordered security forces to shoot protesters, according to a statement by the country’s chief prosecutor on Tuesday. In addition, he is also accused of misusing his governmental office to illegally acquire a vast fortune. Mubarak and his family have previously denied the allegations.
His bank accounts in Cairo and Sweden have been frozen as a result of the investigation. He is currently being questioned at a hospital in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where he was admitted in April. His condition has been described by Egyptian daily Al-Masri Al-Youm as being in psychological shock.
The decision to refer him to trial came after a planned demonstration on Tahrir Square on Friday to demand faster progress of reforms and a public trial for Mubarak.
