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Protests erupt in Egypt over Hosni Mubarak verdicts Protests erupt in Egypt over Hosni Mubarak verdicts
(about 3 hours later)
Huge crowds have gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square to protest against the verdicts on Egypt's ex-President Hosni Mubarak and his co-defendants. Angry crowds have gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square, hours after ex-President Hosni Mubarak was jailed for life for his part in the killing of protesters during Egypt's 2011 revolution.
Although Mubarak got life in prison for complicity in the killing of protesters in last year's uprising, the acquittal of key security officials sparked fury. The crowds are furious at the acquittal of key security officials who were on trial alongside Mubarak.
Egypt's ex-interior Minister Habib al-Adly was also sentenced to life. Four interior ministry officials and two local security chiefs were cleared of complicity in protesters' killings.
But correspondents say a verdict that was meant to bring closure for Egypt is in danger of reopening old wounds. Rallies against the verdict were also held in Alexandria, Suez and Mansoura.
Protests were also held in Egypt's second city Alexandria, as well as in Suez and Mansoura. Correspondents say a verdict that was meant to bring closure for Egypt is in danger of reopening old wounds.
But the biggest demonstration is being held in central Cairo's Tahrir Square, the focus of last year's demonstrations that ultimately toppled Mubarak. Verdict 'mocks us'
'Disgust' Some protesters at Tahrir Square, the focal point of last year's uprising, say they are determined to begin a sit-in.
For opponents of the former government, fears are high that the sentences handed down to Mubarak and al-Adly could be overturned on appeal. They have been joined by prominent public figures and football fans known as Ultras, who have been implicated in a number of political confrontations.
The influential Muslim Brotherhood has sought to make political capital out of the situation, alleging that Egypt's unreformed institutions withheld evidence and calling on its members to join protests. The mood in Tahrir Square is extremely gloomy. Some protesters have joined in chants of "illegitimate" in reference to the verdicts delivered earlier.
Ahmed Shafiq, one of the two contenders in this month's presidential vote and himself a figure from the Mubarak era, has responded to the outcome of the trial saying that all verdicts "must be accepted" and that the rulings will serve as a "historic lesson" for all future presidents. Others just sit on kerbstones in the darkness quietly reflecting on this critical moment in Egypt's democratic transition.
One young man, Mohamed Fouad, laments that there has been no reform to the interior ministry as protesters demanded last year. "The first goal of the revolution was the removal of the regime," he says. "Why are we still fighting it after more than a year?"
As he speaks there is a din of hammering from protesters re-erecting tents in the centre of the roundabout. This could turn into a longer demonstration, heading into the second round of the presidential election later this month.
The BBC's Yolande Knell at Tahrir Square says crowds are repeatedly chanting "illegitimate", referring to the verdicts handed down on Saturday. The slogan from last year's uprising: "Down with the military rule" is being chanted in the square and many have vociferously condemned Saturday's verdict.
There is particular anger the acquittals of the officials - four high-ranking interior ministry chiefs accused of complicity in the deaths of protesters, as well as two regional security chiefs - are a sign that there has been little reform, our correspondent says. The BBC's Yolande Knell, at the square, says there is particular anger at the acquittals of the officials, which many take as a sign that there has been little reform.
But, she adds, many others have poured onto the streets out of depression at the current political situation. "The Mubarak verdict mocks us. He and [former Interior Minister Habib] Adly got a sentence and their aides got nothing," protester Sharif Ali told the BBC. "When they return to court on appeal, they will be freed too."
Many of Egypt's revolutionaries are bitterly disappointed by the choice they now face - between a Muslim Brotherhood candidate, Mohammed Mursi and Mubarak's last prime minister, Ahmed Shafiq. But, our correspondent adds, others have poured on to the streets out of depression at the current political situation.
The Muslim Brotherhood - the main opposition force under Mubarak's rule - condemned the verdict. The first round of recent presidential elections has left Egyptians with a choice between an Islamist candidate and an ex-prime minister from the Mubarak era.
In a press conference Mr Mursi said that if elected he would form a team to re-investigate protesters' killings. Mr Shafiq said that the verdicts "must be accepted",
Scuffles in courtScuffles in court
The 84-year-old former president is the first former leader to be tried in person since the start of the Arab Spring in early 2011.The 84-year-old former president is the first former leader to be tried in person since the start of the Arab Spring in early 2011.
Announcing the verdicts, the judge then said Mubarak and Adly had failed to stop security forces using deadly force against unarmed demonstrators. Announcing the verdicts, Judge Ahmed Refaat said Mubarak and former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly had failed to stop security forces using deadly force against unarmed demonstrators. They were both given life terms.
In his preamble, Judge Ahmed Refaat insisted the 10-month trial had been a fair one. The judge insisted that the 10-month trial had been fair.
He spoke of the Mubarak era as "30 years of darkness" and praised what he called "the sons of the nation who rose up peacefully for freedom and justice". He said the Mubarak era had been "30 years of darkness" and praised what he called "the sons of the nation who rose up peacefully for freedom and justice".
Mubarak and his two sons were acquitted on separate charges of corruption. But his sons, Alaa and Gamal, are to remain in detention because they are to go on trial on charges of stock market manipulation. Mubarak and his two sons, Alaa and Gamal, were acquitted on separate charges of corruption. But his sons will remain in detention as they are to be charged with stock-market manipulation.
After the verdict, scuffles erupted in court. Outside the court, the sentencing was initially greeted by celebrations from relatives of those killed, but joy soon turned to anger when news of the acquittals spread. After the verdict, scuffles erupted in court. Outside, sentencing was initially greeted by celebrations, but anger soon took over when news of the acquittals spread.
State television reported that the former leader at first refused to leave the helicopter as he was being transferred to his new prison, and that he then suffered from severe health problems. He has reportedly been admitted to the prison hospital. State television reported that as he was being transferred to jail, Mubarak at first refused to leave the helicopter and then suffered from severe health problems. He has reportedly been admitted to the prison hospital.
Tora prison is where a number of figures from the former government are serving jail sentences for corruption.
Mubarak, who ruled the country from 1981 to 2011, had faced a possible death sentence over the killing of about 850 protesters.Mubarak, who ruled the country from 1981 to 2011, had faced a possible death sentence over the killing of about 850 protesters.
The first leader toppled during the Arab Spring was Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, who was found guilty in absentia of drugs and gun charges in July.The first leader toppled during the Arab Spring was Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, who was found guilty in absentia of drugs and gun charges in July.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed by rebels in October. Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh received immunity from prosecution after handing over power in November.Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed by rebels in October. Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh received immunity from prosecution after handing over power in November.
Are you in Egypt? What are your thoughts on ex-President Hosni Mubarak's life sentence? If you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC please fill in the form below.Are you in Egypt? What are your thoughts on ex-President Hosni Mubarak's life sentence? If you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC please fill in the form below.
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