Historic Mubarak Trial Begins in Egypt, Former Leader Pleads 'Not Guilty'
The historic trial for Honsi Mubarak began Wednesday in Cairo with Egypt's ex-president entering a plea of not guilty to the charges against him.
Mubarak is the first Arab leader since the Arab Spring movement that started early this year to face a judge.
He is facing charges of unlawful killing of protestors and corruption, and he could get the death penalty if convicted.
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The corruption allegations against Mubarak include economic corruption and the striking of illegal business deals.
The murder charges Mubarak faces are with regard to the 18-day protests in Tahrir square which saw Mubarak's security forces kill around 850 people. Those charges include premeditated murder, the killing of protestors, and complicity towards abuses against civilian protestors.
Mubarak's two sons, Gamal and Alaa, his former interior minister, and six of his senior police deputies will also stand trial for charges of a similar nature.
At his trial on Wednesday in Cairo, Mubarak announced through a microphone, "I categorically deny all the charges."
That was the only thing the former 30-year Egyptian ruler said on the first day of the milestone trial.
The hearing lasted about three hours before being adjourned, with proceedings due to continue on the August 15.
Presiding Judge Ahmed Refaat previously announced his desire for a swift trial.
However, with the prosecution file believed to run over 12,000 pages, and the defense planning to call over 1,000 witnesses to the stand, the trial is likely to be anything but swift.
The court has ordered Mubarak to stay in a military hospital on the outskirts of Cairo and to be monitored by an oncologist.
Mubarak was ousted from his leadership position almost 6 months ago following a 30-year reign of power in 18-day citizen protests.
Mubarak announced his stern unwillingness to resign from office on February 10, however, he fled Cairo the very next day.
Since then, Egypt has been run by a military regime, which formed the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.
Many who risked their lives in the protests for democracy in Egypt are now becoming restless, and fear that the current military leadership is trying to overt a real Egyptian transition to democracy.
