On Sunday 27 May, a criminal court convicted one of former
president Hosni Mubarak's aides of corruption, fining
Zakaria Azmi £3.8million and sentencing him to seven years in prison.
Azmi was Mubarak's chief of staff. Mubarak, who spent 29 years
in power, was rarely seen in public without him. Azmi was also a
lawmaker and a senior member of Mubarak's ruling
National Democratic Party (NDP).
Azmi, who is in his 70s, reportedly supported Mubarak's wish to
eventually hand over-power to his youngest son Gamal.
According to Egypt's Middle East News Agency,
the Cairo court established that Azmi used his position to make illicit
gains of $7 million. Azmi was jailed last year and put on
trial in October, charged with illegal acquisition of funds.
He is one of many former Mubarak cronies detained on suspicion
of corruption, some of whom have been sentence while others await
trial. The group includes two former prime ministers, the
former speaker of parliament, several wealthy businessmen and cabinet
ministers closely linked to Gamal.
The verdict against Azmi came less than a week before a court
was due to issue its verdict in the trial of Mubarak, who faced charges
of complicity in the killing of protesters during the popular uprising
that toppled his regime last year. Mubarak, along with Gamal
and his other son, Alaa, also faced corruption charges.
If convicted the former long-term leader could face the death
penalty.
For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.
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