CAIRO: Despite reports earlier in the week that former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak had been moved to an intensive care unit just outside Cairo, medical sources on Thursday have confirmed that ex-President Mubarak remains in Sharm El-Sheikh at the International Hospital and is listed in fair condition. Sources within the hospital administration report that the hospital has been instructed to hold Mubarak pending the fifteen day detention imposed against the fallen leader last week. The supervising physician overseeing Mubarak's medical care had sent a letter of request to the attorney general asking that Mubarak not been moved to Cairo as previously reported due to Mubarak's fragile psychological condition. Mubarak was admitted to hospital on Tuesday, April 12, following complaints of chest pain whilst being interrogated by judicial investigators last Tuesday. Recent rumours circulating Egypt have inferred that the former president along with other members of his political party have been given preferential treatment. The source within the hospital disputes those allegations and maintains that Mubarak's medical condition prohibits his transfer at this time. Today's medical update on the condition of the 82-year-old former Egyptian heavyweight reports that he is in stable condition after ultrasound results of his heart have come back revealing that the ailing ex-president did not suffer a heart attack, as previously reported. Mubarak's overseeing physician lists his most current condition as psychiatric and demand immediate treatment. As a second interrogation of the former president was underway on Wednesday, April 20, a psychiatrist sat with Mubarak and has submitted his report to the hospital administrator who is working closely with the Attorney General, Abdel Meguid Mahmoud, who is also serving as chief judiciary adviser in the case against the Mubarak family. A dual public statement issued by the hospital and the Attorney General's office on Thursday, said the decision to move Mubarak from the hospital in Sharm El-Sheikh to one closer to the Egyptian capital remains the Attorney General's responsibility. The move will be contingent on adequate security for the former president currently under house arrest and his physical and mental health. Sources at Sharm El-Sheikh International Hospital reported this morning that staff of the hospital complained of having to go through several levels of security before entering the unit Mubarak is being held in. Other complaints reveal that a number of high-profile political personalities were allowed to visit the room of Mubarak on Wednesday, despite the former president's condition and the rules against visitors whilst Mubarak remains in detention at the hospital. Additional reports by hospital worker's allege that some medical staff have been punished for leaking information pertaining to the former president's medical condition. Security at the hospital have told reporters covering the condition of Mubarak, that there have been no incidences where ambulances were not allowed entry to the hospital emergency department, and patients have been permitted to enter and exit the hospital without additional security measures. Also on Wednesday, Mubarak submitted a request to the ruling military council to remain in hospital at Sharm El-Sheikh due to security conserns about his transfer to Cairo. Reuter's contributor, Marwa Awad, reported today that Mubarak has enough supporters within the military council, headed by former Egyptian Defense Minister, Mohamed Tantawi, to have his request honoured. The Egyptian military junta also claims that moving Mubarak to hospital in Cairo could reignite further demonstrations in the capital, creating a new issue for the military – seen by many in Egypt as another branch of the former regime. Today's report from the treating physician overseeing Mubarak's medical treatment is the first time an official report has been released giving any insight into the ex-president's medical condition. After a clear chest x-ray, ultrasound and heart work-up – providing details of a mental illness impacting Mubarak may been seen as another attempt to keep Mubarak from prosecution. Mubarak's sons, Gamal and Alaa, were also ordered to fifteen days detention last week resulting in their detention at the infamous Tora Prison located in the desert outside Cairo. Former Egyptian first lady, Suzanne Mubarak, has also been placed under detention whilst investigations into the family's participation in crimes against humanity, money laundering and embezzlement continue. The prosecutor has also detained Mubarak's former Prime Minister, along with several other members of the former regime and recently dissolved National Democratic Party. Several demonstrators continue to protest outside the hospital in Sharm El-Sheikh, demanding the removal of Mubarak from the Red Sea resort town due to heavy security in the area has been keeping tourists from visiting. BM
