Egypt ex-president Mubarak cleared of protest death charges

PanARMENIAN.Net - An Egyptian court has dismissed charges against former President Hosni Mubarak related to the deaths of peaceful protesters. The court has also found Mubarak not guilty of corruption, CNN reports.

Mubarak, who ruled Egypt for more almost 30 years, is accused of "inciting, arranging, and assisting to kill peaceful protesters" as well as corruption. The 86-year-old has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In January 2011, throngs of Egyptians filled the streets of Cairo to decry the country's poverty, unemployment and repression. Protesters called for Mubarak to step down, but were met by a fierce and often violent government crackdown.

Since Mubarak stepped down in February 2011, the ailing former strongman appeared in court numerous times for a variety of charges -- sometimes wheeled in on a gurney. He went from the bars of a cage used to keep defendants during court proceedings.

He's been down this road before. Mubarak was already convicted of helping kill protesters and was sentenced to life in prison in 2012. But he was later granted a new trial.

But even if Mubarak is acquitted Saturday, he still won't go free anytime soon.

In May, a Cairo court sentenced Mubarak to three years in prison for embezzlement. His sons Gamal and Alaa were sentenced to four years each on the same charge.

All three were convicted of embezzling $18 million that was allocated for the renovation of presidential palaces. The Mubaraks have maintained their innocence in that case.