Dr Frederic Volpi: Justice must be seen to be done if Egypt is to progress

It could be a show trial, where Mubarak is condemned just because he is Mubarak, in which case it will be of little significance. Alternatively, it could prove to be a good example of how justice should work.

Because, beyond the trial of Mubarak and of his associates now with him in court, there is the issue of those former members of the regime who could be put on trial in subsequent months.

The trial of Mubarak and key figures has to be an opportunity for the new Egyptian authorities to show the justice system can operate better, and be independent of the political elite.

This is important for Egyptians who took part in the protests because justice was important among their demands. It was a political decision to put Mubarak on trial quickly and publicly, to show the regime had changed.

It should not be difficult to prove some of the most general charges against Mubarak, but it may be more difficult to prove it in the details of his actions. Whether a death sentence is passed will be a political decision, which will indicate the orientation of the new Egyptian regime - if it is more liberal he won't be put to death.

This won't show the true colours of the new regime, but it is an indication of whether the government will take a liberal approach or be fairly brutal in its dispensation of justice.

At this stage, there are three main scenarios for the country.

In the first, we have the military and the remains of the authoritarian regime of Mubarak trying to control the government and constraining whoever is elected. If this happens, the political situation is going to improve only very slowly and there may be further uprisings.

In the second scenario, if new political actors are able to govern freely, it still remains to be seen whether they can do so without massive political infighting.

The third possibility is that Islamic and secular political forces are able to find a way of making political compromises to govern effectively.

It is very difficult to say what will happen, but it is not unreasonable to hope all sides are able to find a dialogue.

• Dr Frederic Volpi is senior lecturer in international relations and director of the Institute of Middle East and Central Asia Studies at St Andrews University