Mubarak diagnosed with stomach cancer

Egypt's former president Hosni Mubarak, due to face trial on 3rd August for ordering the killing of protesters, has been diagnosed with stomach cancer. According to Mubarak's lawyer Farid El-Deeb, the former president has “stomach cancer and the tumours are growing”.

The former Egyptian leader is in custody in a hospital in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. Mubarak was initially hospitalised after suffering from heart problems during official questioning. Following a further inquiry Mubarak has been charged with ordering the deaths of protesters during Egypt's uprising.

Last month, Egyptian officials said Mubarak's health was too fragile to move him to prison while he awaited trial. The ousted leader and his two sons, Alaa and Gamal, have been charged with "premeditated murder" of demonstrators. If found guilty, Mubarak could face the death penalty.

News of Mubarak's cancer comes days after Spain's National Court set a record bail figure of £24 million following the detention of one of Mubarak's closest associates, Hussein Salem.

Salem appeared in court twice on Friday 17th June - once in connection with a warrant issued from Egypt, and then on suspicion of money laundering in Spain. The Spanish authorities also froze more than €32.5 million in cash, properties worth €10 million euros and five luxury cars.

Sources: BBC News, Reuters, The Daily Telegraph

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.

Mubarak and sons to be tried for killing demonstrators

Egyptian officials have announced that ousted president Hosni Mubarak and his two sons are to be tried for ordering the deaths of anti-government protesters. Mubarak, who stepped-down in February, is being detained at a hospital, in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, along with this wife Suzanne.

Mubarak's two sons, Alaa and Gamal, are under detention in Cairo's Tora prison. They also face fraud charges. All three have been charged with "premeditated murder of some participants in the peaceful protests of the 25th January revolution”. The charges were issued by Egypt's prosecutor general after the most recent calls on Friday 20th May for the Mubarak family to be brought to justice.

It is estimated that more than 800 people were killed during anti-government protests that ousted Mubarak. Many suspect the family has accrued a large fortune, worth tens of billion, but the Mubaraks deny these allegations. Their bank accounts in the capital, as well as those in Switzerland, have been frozen. Suzanne Mubarak has also agreed to hand-over $3 million worth of assets to the State following an investigation over corruption charges.

Since Mubarak's resignation, several minister linked to the regime have been put on trial. Earlier this month, former interior minister Habib Al-Adly got 12 years on charges of money-laundering and profiteering. He also faces charges of ordering the killings of demonstrators.

Sources: BBC News, Houston Chronicle, Sydney Morning Herald

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.

Egypt: Hosni Mubarak's wife to hand-over $3 million worth of assets

The wife of ousted Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, has agreed to hand-over $3 million worth of assets to the State following an investigation over corruption charges. Suzanne Mubarak has reportedly agreed to give-up funds held in various bank accounts and a villa in Cairo.

The Mubarak family is under investigation for corruption and illegal acquisition of wealth during Hosni Mubarak's 30 year reign. The former president, who stepped down on 11th February, has also been accused of ordering the killings of anti-government protesters.

On Monday 16th May, the former first lady, aged 70, promised to hand-over both the money and the villa to the authorities. According to expert lawyer, Nasser Amin, by relinquishing her claims, she would be benefit from articles in the Egyptian law which allow those accused of making illegal gains to give them up in exchange for dropping the investigation.

Amin said: “The decision may not be accepted by society, who after a revolution, side with the idea of revenge. But from the legal point of view, this is in line.”

Both Hosni Mubarak and his wife are currently under detention in a hospital in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. The former first lady is recovering from a "panic attack", which she suffered after being detained.

Sources: BBC News, AFP, Reuters Africa, RIA Novosti

For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.