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(Image source: World Economic Forum)
BY ELIZABETH HAGEDORN
Deposed Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak could walk free in 48 hours.
The 85-year-old was detained two years ago on charges of complicity in the killing of
protesters during the country's first uprising. He was in power for three decades before the
country's military ousted him in 2011. (Via PBS)
Mubarak was sentenced to life in prison, but appealed last year. He's now served the maximum
amount of jail time allowed for a defendant awaiting trial. (Via NBC)
He was also expected to go to trial for allegedly accepting gifts from state-run newspaper Al-Ahram.
But Al Jazeera explains a court's decision last week to clear him of those corruption
charges "removes the final legal hurdle blocking his release."
That is, if there's no appeal. Prosecutors have two days to consider whether to pursue
what action they will take. If they don't appeal, Mubarak's lawyer says he'll be released.
This comes just weeks after Egypt overthrew Mubarak's successor Mohammed Morsi who now
remains in military custody at an undisclosed location. His supporters claim his detention
was politically motivated. (Via CBS)
As the country's military cracks down on Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood supporters, many observers
are drawing comparisons to Mubarak's police state. The military's recent decision to impose
a state of emergency gives Egyptian police the nearly-unlimited power to arrest Islamist
protesters. (Via ABC, BBC)
Mubarak's next court hearing is set for August 25.