Egypt: explosion near intelligence building, Mubarak trial resumes

PanARMENIAN.Net - At least four people were wounded when a car bomb exploded near an army intelligence building in Ismailia, northeast of Cairo, on Saturday, Oct 19. The force of the blast caused part of the building's wall to collapse, security sources said, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that the country’s top security officials are testifying behind closed doors in the retrial of ex-president Hosni Mubarak, who faces charges related to the killings of around 900 protesters during the 2011 uprising that led to his ouster.

The 85-year-old former autocrat was previously convicted of failing to stop the killings, but that was overturned on appeals earlier this year.

The state-owned Nile TV said two security officials, including former intelligence chief Murad Muwafi, took the stand in the Saturday court session.

The presiding judge previously ordered that testimony of security officials take place under a media blackout for reasons of national security.

In addition to Mubarak, six top police officials and the former interior minister, who oversaw Egypt's feared police for more than a decade, are on trial.