CAIRO: The fifth sitting of the Hosni Mubarak trial for crimes against the Egyptian people during the Egyptian Revolution in January began early Sunday morning. The Egyptian head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), Field Marshall Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, was reported to have arrived at the Police Academy earlier Sunday morning, but sources say the testimony Tantawi was going to deliver has been postponed due to the current security situation in the country, according to local newspapers. “He presented an official apology to the court for not showing up in view of the security circumstances following recent incidents,” al-Ahram reported. The testimony has been postponed until September 24. Egyptian state television gave no immediate reasons for the decision. On Friday, clashes at the Israeli Embassy left five people dead and over 1,000 people injured as protesters managed to storm in to the embassy. One protester, Mustafa Malek, told Bikyamasr.com that “the military allowed the protesters to enter the building, rather than fight them off.” In light of this, the current government tried resigning, but their resignations were not accepted by the SCAF. Samy Ana, the incumbent army chief of staff was also due to show in court to give his testimony, but his hearing has been postponed to September 25. Both Tantawi and Anan had served under Mubarak as senior army commanders. Their testimonies are to be held behind closed doors for “security reasons,” according to the trial's judge Ahmed Refaat and his statement released on September 7. The ailing and deposed Mubarak is being held on charges of corruption and the killing of hundreds of protesters earlier this year during the revolution. Mubarak has pleaded “not guilty.” In light of recent clashes between Mubarak supporters and protesters, 15 ambulances have been placed outside the police academy to provide medical support in the event that clashes erupt once again. “Ambulances are well prepared with equipment and blood,” a medical source said. Hospitals near the academy have also been put on alert to expect many wounded in case clashes do erupt again. BM
