Egypt’s Mubarak hospitalised

Egypt’s Mubarak hospitalised

The former Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, has been hospitalised at the Red Sea port of Sharm el-Sheikh, where he has been staying since he was ousted from power by a popular uprising on February 11.

Egyptian security officials told newsmen that Mubarak, who had been complained of being unwell, arrived under heavy police protection at the hospital, which was being picketed by pro-democracy activists.

Coincidental ill health

Mubarak, who has been under house arrest in Sharm el-Sheikh ever since he was ousted from power, has maintained a low profile since he stepped down from the presidency, but released an audio message earlier this week saying that he would cooperate fully with the prosecutor-general's investigations into allegations of corruption committed by his himself and family members.

He had been expected to be questioned by investigators for the first time on Tuesday in connection with corruption allegations and violence against protesters during the uprising.

Mubarak's sons Alaa and Gamal have also been summoned for questioning.

The public prosecutor issued the summons on Sunday.

The ousted president was summoned after pro-democracy protesters in Egypt demanded for his prosecution, as well as high-ranking members of the former regime, in order to hold them accountable for what they believe was the amassing of billions of dollars of wealth.

Mubarak also has a history of illnesses, and while in power would routinely travel to Germany for check-ups. The former president had suffered from a number of health problems and had undergone gallbladder surgery in the days leading up to the end of his rule.

Skepticisms

Many pro-democracy activists have ridiculed Mubarak's hospitalisation, saying that the timing of his admission to hospital was not coincidental.

An Egyptian pro-democracy activist, Hossam el-Hamalawry, said: "I feel that I'm watching a ridiculous soap opera that has been dragging on now, and directed by the miltiary junta, for more than two months.
It is still not clear the condition he is in, as there has been no official statement from the army or health authorities regarding Mubarak's admission.

However, sources within the army have confirmed that the former president is indeed being looked at by doctors.

Al Jazeera