Mubarak trial comes to a halt

THE trial of Hosni Mubarak came to a halt yesterday after lawyers demanded a change in the court and judges after highly anticipated testimony from Egypt’s military ruler, a former confidant of the ousted president.

Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi gave his testimony under a total media blackout, with journalists barred from the court and forbidden to report any leaked details of what he told the court. Many believe Tantawi – who was Mubarak’s defence minister for two decades – can be crucial in addressing the key question of whether Mubarak ordered lethal force used against protesters during the 18-day uprising against his rule.