Life for Mubarak, many Egyptians cheer
by Reuters
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Chaos breaks out in the Cairo courtroom where ousted president Hosni Mubarak was handed down a life sentence of 25 years.
Mubarak and former interior minister Habib al-Adli were both sentenced to life in prison on Saturday for their role in the deaths of protesters during the country's popular uprising.
But many in the courtroom were angered that Mubarak's aides, his sons and several other key members of the government were acquitted of any responsibility.
The judge also found the Mubarak family and officials not guilty of a myriad of corruption charges.
Cairo residents had mixed feelings.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN MAN, YASSER SAYED ALI, SAYING:
"Honestly the judgement has no value, because now Hosni Mubarak is 84 years old, and he's at the end of his life, so what does it do to give him life in prison? And the Minister of the Interior Habib al-Adli had to be condemned, and should not have been given anything less than a death sentence."
Mubarak, who donned dark sunglasses and lay on a stretcher in court, is the only fallen leader of the Arab Spring to be tried in court.
His lawyers say the deposed president will appeal the decision.
Jessica Gray, Reuters
Mubarak and former interior minister Habib al-Adli were both sentenced to life in prison on Saturday for their role in the deaths of protesters during the country's popular uprising.
But many in the courtroom were angered that Mubarak's aides, his sons and several other key members of the government were acquitted of any responsibility.
The judge also found the Mubarak family and officials not guilty of a myriad of corruption charges.
Cairo residents had mixed feelings.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN MAN, YASSER SAYED ALI, SAYING:
"Honestly the judgement has no value, because now Hosni Mubarak is 84 years old, and he's at the end of his life, so what does it do to give him life in prison? And the Minister of the Interior Habib al-Adli had to be condemned, and should not have been given anything less than a death sentence."
Mubarak, who donned dark sunglasses and lay on a stretcher in court, is the only fallen leader of the Arab Spring to be tried in court.
His lawyers say the deposed president will appeal the decision.
Jessica Gray, Reuters