Breaking News
On Air Live and Local 7:00PM to 10:00PM The Isle of Wight in Real Time
Listen Live Listen Online Follow us
Follow Isle of Wight Radio on Facebook Follow Isle of Wight Radio on Twitter
Current Weather
Partly Cloudy
NNW 11mph
11 mph
Partly Cloudy
17°C

Egypt: Presidential Candidate's HQ Attacked

Sun, 03 June 2012 1:21AM

Protesters in Cairo have reportedly stormed the campaign headquarters of Egyptian presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq - just hours after ex-president Hosni Mubarak was sentenced to life in prison.

The attack on the office of Mr Shafiq, who served as prime minister under the ousted regime of Mr Mubarak, is the second such incident in a week.

It comes after Mubarak, who appeared in court on a hospital stretcher during the nine-month trial, was given a life sentence for his involvement in the killing of protesters during last year's uprising that toppled him from power.

Around 850 demonstrators were killed, most shot to death, in Cairo and other major cities across the country in 18-days of nationwide protests.

Mubarak, 84, showed no emotion in his caged dock when his sentence was read out.

Violence broke out inside the courtroom after the court cleared his two sons and key security officials of any wrongdoing.

State TV said Mubarak suffered a "health crisis" as he was flown to Tora jail in Cairo by helicopter after the guilty verdict, and was later admitted to the prison hospital.

The ex-dictator, said to be too sick by his doctors for a jail cell, had been held in a luxury medical suite at a military hospital throughout the court proceedings.

Sentencing Mubarak, Judge Ahmed Rifaat described the former leader's era as "30 years of darkness" which only ended when Egyptians rose up to demand change from the "tyranny and corruption".

"The people of Egypt woke on Tuesday, January 25, to a new dawn, hoping that they would be able to breathe fresh air... after 30 years of deep, deep, deep darkness," he told the court.

"They peacefully demanded democracy from rulers who held tight grip on power," he said.

Outside, thousands of riot police surrounded the building to stop the masses gathered outside from getting too close.

Supporters and opponents of the former leader - the only autocrat toppled in the Arab Spring to be put in the dock - reacted to the verdict clashing with each other and police.

One man held up a sign calling for Mubarak to be executed, others waved Egyptian flags and chanted slogans demanding "retribution".

Relatives of those killed during the uprising broke down in tears.

"He should be executed as he executed our sons," said Mustafa Mursi, whose 18-year-old son was shot dead outside a police station.

Soha Saeed, whose husband was killed in one of the many street demonstrations that helped to depose Mubarak from power on February 11, 2011, was among those celebrating the verdict and shouted: "I'm so happy. I'm so happy."

Sky's Middle East correspondent Emma Hurd said: "There is massive relief that Hosni Mubarak, who was seen as responsible for the deaths of hundreds of protesters - seen as ordering those deaths by allowing his security forces to use live ammunition during the uprising - has been convicted because there were fears that he would escape justice.

"He ruled with repressive tactics, under corrupt rule for more than 30 years before he was ousted.

"The revolutionaries back in Tahrir Square will see this finally as some element of justice for what they went through."

During the trial, the prosecution claimed the then president ordered the violent crackdown that led to the killing of 225 protesters in Cairo, Suez and Alexandria between January 25 and 31 last year.

Mubarak, blamed for widespread repression during his 30-year rule, denied any involvement in the deadly crackdown of security forces that also left 1,800 people wounded.

His fellow defendants, including his former interior minister Habib al Adly, in charge of the police who fired live ammunition at demonstrators, also proclaimed their innocence.

Adly was also given a life term for his involvement in the killings, while six former police commanders were acquitted.

Corruption charges were dropped against Mubarak and his sons - Alaa and Gamal - but the pair still face a separate trial on charges of insider trading.

Hussain Salem, an ex-army and intelligence officer, was also acquitted of corruption charges.

The verdicts came amid the nation's first "free and fair" presidential elections and two weeks before the run-off between mr  Shafiq and the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed Mursi.

Egypt has been under military rule since Mubarak's resignation in February last year.

More National News

Five People Injured After Gas Explosion

Five People Injured After Gas Explosion

Sun, 19 May 2013 6:58PM
Philpott Deaths: Mairead To Appeal Sentence

Philpott Deaths: Mairead To Appeal Sentence

Sun, 19 May 2013 6:55PM
Euro Tax 'To Decimate Pensions', Report Says

Euro Tax 'To Decimate Pensions', Report Says

Sun, 19 May 2013 6:32PM
British Skier Dies In French Alps Fall

British Skier Dies In French Alps Fall

Sun, 19 May 2013 5:47PM
Caernarfon: Plane Crash Leaves One Dead

Caernarfon: Plane Crash Leaves One Dead

Sun, 19 May 2013 4:49PM
Morecambe And Wise Honoured With Blue Plaque

Morecambe And Wise Honoured With Blue Plaque

Sun, 19 May 2013 4:16PM
Yeovil Clinch Promotion To Championship

Yeovil Clinch Promotion To Championship

Sun, 19 May 2013 4:05PM
Terror Suspects Die After Kenyan Shootout

Terror Suspects Die After Kenyan Shootout

Sun, 19 May 2013 3:08PM
Daft Punk: One More Time's Romanthony Dies

Daft Punk: One More Time's Romanthony Dies

Sun, 19 May 2013 2:31PM
Wayne Rooney Misses Match For Son's Birth

Wayne Rooney Misses Match For Son's Birth

Sun, 19 May 2013 1:39PM

Local News

Transition to new Cowes Enterprise College building begins in September

Transition to new Cowes Enterprise College building begins in September

The transition period for the move to the new building at Cowes Enterprise College will begin in September, according to the new Chair of the Governing Body Rachael Fidler.
Lottie to see her new space for the first time

Lottie to see her new space for the first time

Niton youngster Lottie Rann will get the first look at her new space on Saturday, having spent months in a mainland children's rehabilitation unit.
Bardon Vectis Asphalt Plans Approved

Bardon Vectis Asphalt Plans Approved

The decision was made by a planning officer under delegated powers yesterday (16 May)
Inquest opens into death of man at Alum Bay

Inquest opens into death of man at Alum Bay

The inquest has opened into the death of a man whose body was found at the foot of cliffs at Alum Bay on Wednesday.
Inquest: Shanklin man found by dog walker

Inquest: Shanklin man found by dog walker

The body of a Shanklin man was found by a dog walker, an inquest opening has heard.
Crime doesn't pay as Hampshire Police seize £3.3m

Crime doesn't pay as Hampshire Police seize £3.3m

Police have almost doubled the amount of money claimed back from criminals using the Proceeds of Crime Act in the past year, compared to the previous year.
Fire crews called to Albany prison

Fire crews called to Albany prison

Fire crews have been called to Albany prison, after getting reports of smoke coming from the roof.
Blast Off Hopes For Newport Bar Manager In Lynx Space Competition

Blast Off Hopes For Newport Bar Manager In Lynx Space Competition

A Newport bar manager is preparing for the next stage of a competition that could see him win a trip to space.
Police Commissioner set to appoint assistant on the Isle of Wight

Police Commissioner set to appoint assistant on the Isle of Wight

The search has begun for an Isle of Wight representative to work with Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Hayes.
Channel Rowers Set To Raise Charity Cash

Channel Rowers Set To Raise Charity Cash

The all-women Wight Crew are preparing to leaver Dover in June.