Key military witness fails to show up at trial of Mubarak

Egypt’s military ruler and one-time confidant of Hosni Mubarak failed to attend a court session yesterday that was expected to bring highly anticipated testimony about the fallen president’s alleged role in the death of protesters and possibly offer insider revelations about the regime’s final days.

The no-show by Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi was a major disappointment for Egyptians seeking to have the reckoning over the bloodshed reach to the highest levels. It also could reflect hesitation by Mubarak’s former allies to face him in court and possibly shed embarrassing secrets.

The judge immediately requested Mr Tantawi attend court on September 24.

The report on Egyptian State TV did not give a reason for Mr Tantawi’s absence in court. But a defence lawyer said Mr Tantawi told the court he was ready to submit written testimony since he was dealing with the fall-out after the storming of the Israeli Embassy in Cairo on Friday by protest mobs.

The trial is seen as a test between Egypt’s traditional power structure and the impatience for clear breaks with the past seven months after Mubarak, pictured right, was toppled and power shifted to a military council.

Many Egyptians still see the ruling military as uneasy about putting one of their own on trial – Mubarak was previously commander of the air force and a pilot.

There also is speculation that Mr Tantawi and other high-ranking officials want to keep a distance from the proceedings, fearing they could be implicated in the crackdowns that left nearly 900 dead.

Mubarak is accused of complicity in the attacks. It is unprecedented for a court in Egypt to summon such high-level figures – particularly authorities from the highly secretive military and intelligence services.

Mubarak’s trial depends heavily on accounts by Mr Tantawi and other members of the former president’s inner circle who are expected to testify in the coming days.

Among the others summoned by the court were chief of staff Sami Anan – the second highest-ranking figure on the military council – and Omar Suleiman, who was appointed vice president by Mubarak during the uprising and was his powerful intelligence chief. He is seen as a figure holding many of the regime’s secrets.

The trial is scheduled to resume tomorrow with Mr Suleiman expected to give testimony. The sessions are closed to the media and public and all reporting on the proceedings is banned.

Mr Tantawi was the former commander of the elite Republican Guards, which protects the president and his palaces.

He was appointed chief commander of the armed forces in May 1991 and was considered one of Mubarak’s most steadfast backers. A US diplomatic cable, released by WikiLeaks, reported Mr Tantawi was known as “Mubarak’s poodle” for his unwavering loyalty.

Meanwhile, an Al Jazeera network, Al Jazeera Egypt Live, yesterday said that Egyptian security authorities stormed their offices. The network reported that authorities confiscated its broadcast devices.

On Wednesday last week, Egypt’s military rulers froze new licences for private satellite TV stations and said they would take steps against broadcasters considered to be inciting violence. Al Jazeera Egypt Live has applied for a licence, but it has not been granted.

Activists say the media restrictions are reminiscent of the tight controls during Mubarak’s regime.