Outside the Beltway

Hosni Mubarak Released From Jail

Doug Mataconis · Thursday, August 22, 2013 · 3 comments

Deposed Egyptian leader has been released from jail after being held almost constantly since the day he was removed from power in February 2011:

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s ousted leader Hosni Mubarak was released from prison Thursday and transported to a military hospital in a Cairo suburb where he will be held under house arrest, according to state TV.

Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi had ordered that Mubarak be put under house arrest as part of the emergency measures imposed this month after a wave of violence sparked by the ouster of Islamist leader Mohammed Morsi, who had succeeded Mubarak as Egypt’s first freely elected President.

Thursday’s move followed a court decision ordering Mubarak’s release in relation to charges of receiving gifts from a state-owned newspaper.

The release threatened to stoke the unrest as the Arab nation is already roiled in a crisis over a military coup against Morsi.

But the decision to place him under house arrest instead of letting him go free appeared designed to ease some of the criticism over releasing Mubarak and to ensure that he appears in court next week for a separate trial.

Despite his release, the 85-year-old ousted leader still faces retrial on charges of complicity in the killing of protesters in the 2011 uprising against him, which could put him back behind bars. His court case resumes next week. He also is being investigated in at least two other corruption cases.

State TV said a medically equipped helicopter transported Mubarak to the military hospital in the southern Maadi suburb

Since charges are still pending against Mubarak, it may not be accurate to say that he’s free of legal liability at this point, but it’s easy to see how people on the streets of Egypt are likely to interpret this as an example of the military government protecting its own. There is apparently another round of protests scheduled for tomorrow after Friday prayers. If the last few weeks are any example, we’re likely to see another weekend of bloodshed.