Egypt: Judge Bans Live Television Broadcasts At Mubarak Trial

Hosni Mubarak appeared in court for the second time on Monday before the judge announced a 3-week adjournment and an end to live television broadcasts.

According to AFP, the judge, Ahmed Refaat, also decided that the trial of the former president and his former interior minister, Habib al-Adly, would be merged, as demanded by the lawyers of families of those killed in Egypt’s January-February revolt.

Mubarak was earlier flown in by helicopter and then driven in an ambulance to the court at a police academy in a Cairo suburb. Thousands of riot police were deployed along with armored vehicles outside the court to keep apart pro- and anti-Mubarak demonstrators watching the trial on a giant screen.

Dozens of people were injured in clashes between supporters and opponents of Mubarak outside a makeshift courtroom. The injured received medical treatment on the site, according to medical sources.

Mubarak was placed reclined on the stretcher in the dock, exchanging brief words inside the cage with his two sons and co-defendants on graft charges, Gamal and Alaa. They have also pleaded innocent to the graft accusations.

Mubarak confirmed his presence in a low voice.