The 2011 revolt in Egypt was hugely covered internationally. The Arab Spring saw many countries’ people demanding freedom and different governance and Egypt was one of those countries at the forefront. Hosni Mubarak, who had ruled Egypt as President for 29 years.
Mubarak was charged with issuing the?murder?of hundreds of protesters in 2012 and was found guilty of corruption. Mubarak appealed and now, in a stunning retrial, these charges were dismissed by a judge.
Many Mubarak supporters were inside the courtroom and cheered as this decision was handed down. Mubarak said in an interview that either decision would not have made much of a difference to him but he did state that he “didn’t commit anything.”
Mubarak still has a three year sentence for embezzlement but could get credited with a lot of that time already. Therefore, the ousted former President could walk free somewhat soon.
Prosecutors?can appeal this decision. There are obviously still a ton of people who disdain the former President and it will be interesting to see how Egypt’s people will take this breaking decision. Mohamed Morsy was the first democratically elected President in Egypt supported a retrial for Mubarak and said that he should actually be given a death sentence instead of lice imprisonment, which is what he was facing before these charges were dismissed. In an ironic change of events since that 2011 revolution, the popularly elected Morsy has been jailed, his Muslim Brotherhood faction banned, and Mubarak could be close to freedom.
It seems that many families of the slain protesters only wanted justice. One said she didn’t want an execution but now she only yearns for “God’s retribution.”
Human rights leader are concerned about this decision. A group called the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, who were involved in the legal process for the Plaintiffs in this case, said that this verdict shows how security forces and political leaders continue to enjoy impunity.
“Justice was dealt another severe blow” they say.
This can send ripples across the rest of the world. His jailing and conviction initially sent shock waves to millions, as it still seems so rare that political leaders or ex-leaders actually get punished in the way the rest of us would. Now with this dismissal, it may seem to many that these leaders are still on a higher throne than the rest of us. It is important to note though, that these leaders always have supporters who are steadfastly by their side. While people in Egypt may be upset over this decision, there are a myriad of people who are cheering it. These complexities are key to understanding different nation-states, their revolutions, and what is yet to come.
Update: Currently protests are taking place denouncing this reversal. The popular Tahrir square, which was the central location for protests back during the 2011 revolution, is now a gathering site for those protesting Mubarak’s retrial verdict. Police (in oddly similar Ferguson fashion) has been spraying protesters with tear gas.
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