‘Deal’ claim after ban on Mubarak trial TV film

The judge presiding over the trial of Hosni Mubarak yesterday ordered TV cameras out of the courtroom until the case concludes, enraging opponents of the deposed Egyptian president who vowed to challenge the decision with protests in Cairo.

Mubarak is the first head of state overthrown during a wave of uprisings in the Arab world to appear in court, and the TV coverage has gripped audiences across the Middle East. A public trial was a key demand of protesters who had camped in Cairo’s Tahrir Square for weeks in July to press for a swift hearing.

“Preposterous!” said Sherif Mohamed, an engineer who was watching the trial outside the court building in Cairo. “The case is necessary for public opinion. Not airing it live means there is a deal with Mubarak.”

“To Tahrir – that is where I am going now. People power is stronger than people in power,” said Mohamed Ali, 35.

Mubarak stands accused of authorising the use of live ammunition to shoot protesters, of corruption and abuse of power. Judge Ahmed Refaat ordered the trial be merged with that of Mubarak’s interior minister Habib al-Adli and six others who face similar charges in order to streamline the processes.

Supporters and opponents of Mubarak threw stones at each other and fist fights erupted near the court, set up in a police academy building in a Cairo suburb, as Mubarak, 83. was flown in by helicopter and wheeled into the courtroom’s steel cage on a hospital bed.

In a courtroom packed with more than 150 lawyers, Mubarak exchanged a few words with his sons, Alaa and Gamal, also standing trial, and spoke up to state his presence. The sons sought to shield him from cameras.

The trial was adjourned until 5 September.