An Egyptian court on Tuesday upheld the general prosecutor's decision to freeze the assets of former President Hosni Mubarak as well as the assets of his wife, sons, daughters-in-law and grandsons. The Cairo Criminal court's decision covers cash, real estate, shares and other securities in banks and companies. The prosecution had demanded that the court issue a decision despite the absence of the Mubaraks' lawyer. The court president, Makram Mohamed Awwad, said the court was not obliged to postpone its ruling until all lawyers are present, as such decisions must be reviewed quickly. Opponents of the Mubarak regime are urging that the family's wealth, which is said to be estimated at millions of dollars, be counted and the prosecution investigate its sources. Activists previously filed a complaint to prosecutors claiming that Hosni Mubarak, his wife and two sons possessed secret bank accounts. The activists said the disclosure of these accounts was essential to hold the family accountable for potential charges of graft. Mustafa Bakri, a former member of Egypt's parliament, previously provided documents indicating the Mubarak family has clandestine bank accounts totaling more than LE200 million (US$147 million). The Mubarak family is believed to have amassed a vast fortune worth as much as 70 billion euros, according to media reports. Mubarak was forced to step down on 11 February in the face of massive protests against his 30-year rule. He is now residing in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
