INTERNATIONAL

Mubarak to stand trial

by James Clark

In another victory for the continuing Egyptian revolution, ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will stand trial on August 3.

He is charged with the responsibility for the killing of protesters during the weeks of demonstrations that forced him out. At least 800 people were killed by Egypt’s notorious security services and military between January 25 and February 11, the day that he stepped down.

Protesters recently confronted Egypt’s military leaders, who lead the country’s “transitional government.” Under pressure from growing demonstrations calling for a second revolution, four senior generals met with Egyptian activists on June 1, in an attempt to calm spreading anger. About 1,200 angry people turned up at the meeting in Heliopolis.

Many protesters were furious about the military’s so-called “virginity tests,” which were conducted on a number of women who had been detained by the military. The protesters rejected the military’s claim that it desired “a dialogue” with activists, criticizing their refusal to answer any questions. Some carried signs saying, “The revolution will not go backwards.”

Egypt’s military elite is desperate to halt the spreading wave of radicalization that has accelerated since Mubarak left office, especially strikes and ongoing protests in Tahrir Square. Its leaders hope that Mubarak’s trial will placate protesters, but it has only fuelled demands that all former members of the regime be put on trial. Activists are not satisfied with the removal of Mubarak; they want the entire system replaced and all the “mini-Mubaraks” across Egypt—in government, in workplaces, in universities and in schools—to be fired and brought to justice for their crimes under Mubarak’s dictatorship.