Democracy News

Mubarak Denies Corruption Charges; Egyptian Military Stages Crackdown
April 19, 2011
By: Carlos Aramayo and Randi Zung | Printer Friendly

On April 10, former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak addressed the nation for the first time since he resigned from office nearly two months ago. According to the New York Times, in a pre-recorded five minute audio message, Mubarak denied accusations of financial corruption and pledged to defend his honor and political legacy. The message was said to have been recorded following a massive demonstration on April 8 in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, when tens of thousands of protesters called for the country’s current de facto leader, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), to speed up its investigation into the Mubarak family’s finances. SCAF has served as Egypt’s de facto government since Mubarak resigned on February 11, 2011. Mubarak’s address came a day after military forces attacked protesters in Tahrir Square, resulting in at least two protester deaths.

In his message, Mubarak stated he was a victim of “unjust campaigns and false allegations.” Professing his innocence, Mubarak said that and he and his wife did not have foreign bank accounts and that no one in his immediate family – including sons Alaa and Gamal – owned foreign real estate. The Washington Post reported that it is widely rumored that Mubarak stole millions of dollars from the Egyptian state. According to Egypt’s Prosecutor General, Abdel Meguid Mahmoud, Mubarak and his sons are banned from leaving Egypt and their assets have been frozen. A growing number of ministers and officials from his ruling era are also facing investigation. Currently, Mubarak is detained in a hospital where he was taken due to a heart condition.

On April 11, the New York Times reported that Egyptian blogger, Maikel Nabil, was sentenced to 3 years in prison for allegedly criticizing SCAF. The charges against Nabil include insulting the military establishment and spreading false information about the armed forces. On his blog, Nabil wrote: “The revolution until now has succeeded in getting rid of the dictator, but the dictatorship is still there.” During an interview with the New York Times, Sarah Leah Whitson, the Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch said, “This trial sets a dangerous precedent at a time when Egypt is trying to transition away from the abuses of the Mubarak era.”

On April 16, BBC News reported that an Egyptian court ordered that Mubarak’s former ruling party, the National Democratic Party (NDP), be dissolved. In addition to the party’s dissolution, all the NDP’s assets will be handed over to the SCAF. The dissolution of the NDP has been a key protester demand. The NDP has dominated Egyptian politics since its inception in 1978.

For previous news on Egypt, please see:
Egyptians Approve Constitutional Referendum; Military Announces Plans To Transfer Power

Sources:
New York Times – Mubarak Denies Corruption and Defends His Legacy

New York Times – Egypt Sentences Blogger to 3 Years

Washington Post – Former Egyptian president Mubarak addresses nation, denies corruption

BBC News – Egypt: Mubarak's former ruling party dissolved by court