Politics
Egypt: Former President Hosni Mubarak released from jail – placed under house arrest
Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. PHOTO/File
Toppled dictator Hosni Mubarak left jail for under house arrest on Thursday but his release stirred little reaction as Egypt wrestles with the fallout from Islamist president Mohamed Mursi’s ouster.
Mubarak, who was overthrown in a 2011 uprising, was flown from Tora prison in Cairo, a day after a court granted him conditional pre-trial release.
But an order from the country’s interim prime minister, who has additional powers under Egypt’s state of emergency, means Mubarak will stay under house arrest.
The 85-year-old, who is believed to be in poor health, was taken by helicopter to a nearby military hospital, where he has previously received medical treatment.
The spectacle of one toppled president being allowed to leave jail even as authorities hold another – Mursi at an undisclosed location, has attracted international attention.
But in Egypt, the response has been muted, even from some of those who took part in the uprising against Mubarak.
Nearly 1,000 people have been killed in clashes between Islamists and security forces after police cleared two pro-Mursi protest camps in Cairo.
The turmoil and uncertainty has left many Egyptians more concerned about the future of the country than Mubarak’s transfer.
