Defiant Mubarak denies corruption at historic trial

AN ailing 83-year-old Hosni Mubarak, lying on a hospital bed inside a metal cage with his two sons standing by him in white prison uniforms, denied charges of corruption and complicity in the killing of protesters at the start of his historic trial.

The spectacle, aired live on state television, was a stunning moment for Egyptians. Many savoured the humiliation of the man who ruled with unquestionable power for 29 years, during which opponents were tortured, corruption was rife, poverty spread and political life was stifled.

After widespread scepticism that Egypt’s military rulers would allow one of their own — a former head of the air force — to be prosecuted in front of the world, the scene went a long way to satisfy one of the key demands that has united protesters since February 11, when Mubarak fell following an 18-day uprising.