JURIST - Paper Chase: Egypt prosecutors seek death penalty for Mubarak

[JURIST] Egyptian prosecutors announced Thursday they will be seeking the death penalty for former president Hosni Mubarak [Al Jazeera profile], former interior minister Habib El Adly and four of his aides accused of ordering the killing of anti-government protesters [JURIST news archive] last year. This announcement came on the last day to make statements to the court panel [Tripoli Post report]. The defendants will present their case Monday with a decision expected by January 25. While the prosecution claims to have a strong case, Mubarak and others continue to maintain their innocence.

The trial for ex-president Mubarak has been tumultuous. It was adjourned for all of November and reopened in December [JURIST reports]. In September, violence broke out [JURIST report] in the courtroom when plaintiffs and their lawyers clashed with Mubarak supporters. In August, presiding Judge Ahmed Rifaat decided to end live TV broadcasts [JURIST reports] of subsequent proceedings amid protests from the families of victims and praise from several courtroom lawyers who opposed the broadcasts. Amnesty International (AI) [advocacy website] reported that at least 840 people were killed [JURIST report] and more than 6,000 injured during the Egyptian protests.