The Week in Quotes: Nov 27-Dec 4

Egypt Today rounds up this week’s news and milestones

By Ahmed Mansour and Kaylan Geiger

  Week in Quotes Mubarak Acquitted in Trial of the Century The November 29 acquittal of former President Hosni Mubarak on charges of ordering the killing of protesters during the 2011 revolution sparked a media whirlpool of discussion along with fears of protests. Mubarak’s sons Gamal and Alaa were also acquitted of corruption charges on the same day, as well as former Interior Minister Habib El-Adly, who was also being charged with ordering the killing of protesters. In response to the acquittal, protests erupted across Egypt, from Cairo to Luxor. News reports estimated that at least 1,000 protesters gathered in Tahrir Square to express their disapproval of the decision. Police used water canons, tear gas and bird shots to disperse the crowd. At least two people were killed and 15 others were injured. Protests also erupted across university campuses, and at Cairo University hundreds gathered to demonstrate against the verdict. The prosecutor general announced on December 2 that it will appeal the court ruling, adding that it was marred by a legal flaw “I personally didn’t expect the fact that the judicial system will be so lenient with the verdict, but who are we to judge the transparency of our honorable judges? People are not happy with the verdict and I expect them to march the streets sooner rather than later, and no one will be able to stop them. The police forces and the armed forces should prepare for such a scenario, not that it’s not the people’s right to protest, but it’s for the safety of the people and welfare of Egypt.” — Mohamed Refaai, member of the Strong Egypt Party, to Egypt Today. “It’s outrageous and it proves how corrupt our current regime is. Where is our president in all of this? Why didn’t he comment? And what is it that he is planning to do to comfort the mothers of the ones killed by the hands of Hosni Mubarak and his flock?  These are some questions that need to be answered, the people are bearing more than they can handle, and in my opinion, soon they will explode. The government should handle this issue by satisfying the people in any way possible, and they should do so now before matters get out of hand. I advise Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to take matters into his own hands, and issue a presidential decree and evict Hosni, his wife, and children out of the country.” —Mohamed Zakareya, political activist, to Egypt Today. Milestones Died, Egyptian writer Radwa Ashour on Sunday at the age of 68. She is best known for her Trilogy of Granada. Sentenced, 188 Muslim Brotherhood supporters to death. The Brotherhood members were sentenced on December 2 as part of another mass trial. They are accused of attacking a police station in 2013. On top, squash player Mohamed Elshorbagy maintains his place on the official PSA World Tour rankings for the second month in a row. Issued, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi a presidential decree that criminalizes insulting the January 25 and June 30 uprisings. Changed, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis its name to Walayat Sinai (the Sinai State).