Key witness: Mubarak elite armed police with firearms

Egyptians celebrate after hearing the eighth witness’s testimony The former-Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, arrived at the Police Academy today for the fifth session of his trial. The court will continue to hear witnesses today. Mubarak’s sons, Gamal and Alaa, and the former-Interior Minister arrived at the court at 9:30am local time.
Mubarak’s supporters are today noticeably absent, and just few of the victims’ families are standing outside the court.
Intensive security has been imposed outside the courtroom after the clashes took place last Monday between Mubarak’s supporters and opponents.
The eighth witness in the trial of former Egyptian president Mubarak’s trial says a former Egyptian interior minister, Habib al-Adly, ordered the country’s police to be equipped with firearms.
The witness, who also provided the court with a CD containing footage of shootings that took place on January 28, said that Mubarak and Adly are complicit in the deaths of protesters that took place during the revolution.
Another witness said that Adly ordered mobile phone and internet services cut on January 28.
The trial against Egypt’s toppled president, his two sons and six of his high-profile aides began on Thursday to look into their complicity over the shooting of protesters.
Sessions on September 11-15 would be closed to the media and the public.
On September 11 the country’s military ruler, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, will testify followed by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Sami Enan on September 12, and former intelligence chief and vice president Omar Suleiman on September 13.
The charges against Mubarak, who has pleaded innocent, follow months of protests demanding justice for the roughly 850 people killed during the revolt that ended the regime.
At the same time, activists have launched seven new pages on Facebook to show gratitude to the eighth witness, Isam Shawqi. Some groups have published Shawki’s testimony on the pages.
Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood group has called on the Military Council to honour their promises.
“Egyptians appreciate your position in the revolution and are waiting for you to fulfill your commitments and follow the map that was set by the constitutional declaration.”
“Your position is temporary, and you have to do it with full transparency because your legitimacy comes from the people, and you must do your best to achieve and respond to people demands.”
The Muslim Brotherhood confirmed its refusal to impose restrictions on the future parliament while setting the constitution, but it is concerned that the Military might postpone the forthcoming parliamentary elections to extend its period in power.
The Muslim Brotherhood would consider such a move to be “contradictory to the principles and the achievements of the revolution, and it’s just a reform of Mubarak regime.”
“In Egypt the people are the leaders and they have the right to choose their constitution through a committee elected democratically by the People’s council and Shura assembly.”
The movement stressed that the country’s interim leaders must dismantle the old regime, achieve constitutional stability and strengthen state institutions. It must then move to rebuild the country socially and economically.
The Muslim Brotherhood has sent a message to the political and legal communities, stating that “The first principle of democracy is to respect people’s needs, respond to their demands and agree on their choice even if it is not in your personal interest.”
The Brotherhood also sent a message to the Egyptian people.
“You have sacrificed a lot to get rid of the corrupt Mubarak regime and we know that you’re ready to give more. We call on you to be cautious of any attempts to deceive you. You need to specify your needs and demands, and make sure you stand up for all of your rights.”