Mubarak fails to show up in court due to bad weather

Feb 7, 2012, 10:54 GMT

Cairo - Ousted Egyptian president Hosny Mubarak did not show up in court on Tuesday for the first time since his trial began in August, due to bad weather, state-run media quoted a judge as saying.

Mubarak, who is been held at a military hospital on the outskirts of Cairo, is usually transferred by helicopter to the Police Academy, where the trial is taking place.

Dusty winds on Tuesday reduced visibility in the Egyptian capital.

Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim said on Sunday that Mubarak will be transferred to the Torah prison hospital, which is being prepared to receive him.

The minister also ordered other detained figures, including Mubarak's two sons, to be put in different prisons, following public accusations that they had been inciting violence from behind bars.

Mubarak, former interior minister Habib al-Adli, and six security aides are charged with ordering the killing of at least 846 protesters during the revolt last year.

They could face the death penalty if convicted.

The court will until February 16 hear closing arguments from their lawyers.

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