Mubarak To Face Trial Over Protester Killings

Egypt's former president Hosni Mubarak is to be put on trial on charges of corruption and conspiracy to kill protesters who called for him to step down earlier this year.

The country's prosecutor general said Mubarak, who ruled Egypt for three decades, would face a criminal court.

The announcement was made following a demand from Egyptians who have threatened a second revolution amid growing concerns about the slow pace of change under the country's new military rulers.

Adel el-Said, spokesman for the prosecutor general, said the charges could carry the death sentence.

Mubarak was forced to step down after an 18-day revolt by anti-government protesters that was met by a brutal security crackdown.

Over 800 people are believed to have been killed and thousands more injured.

Pro and anti-Mubarak protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square

But the prosecution of the 83-year old remained a sore point under the new leadership, which took control on 11 February.

Demonstrators demanded that Mubarak face justice, taking to the streets a number of times and criticising the military for stalling.

The statement from prosecutor general Mahmoud Abdel-Meguid, who also served under Mubarak, came ahead of a planned Friday protest that was to have focused on calls for him to be put on trial and for remnants of his regime to be uprooted.

It would be the first time in modern history an Arab leader is sent to trial solely by his people.

Police fire tear gas at demonstrators

"It is the first time that a living president is going to face victims of his abuse before an ordinary court in the region", said Hossam Bahgat, a human rights activist.

"It is precisely because of this unique and unprecedented nature that we need for this trial to be as credible as possible."

The charge sheet against Mubarak said he conspired with the former security chief and other senior police officers, already on trial in a criminal court, to commit premeditated murder, along with attempted murder of those who participated in the peaceful protests around Egypt.

Mubarak and his two sons, Alaa and Gamal, were charged with abusing power to amass wealth, enriching associates and accepting bribes, the prosecutor-general's office said.

The ousted leader's sons are being detained in a Cairo prison.

Earlier this month, Tunisia's toppled president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali was charged along with his wife of inciting violence in the bloody crackdown on the popular uprising there.

Ben Ali has fled to Saudi Arabia, which has not answered a Tunisian request to extradite him.