Prosecution Seeks Death Penalty in Mubarak Trial

Well, so much for reconciliation.

If Hosni Mubarak's ailing health doesn't kill him first, Egypt's legal system just might: Prosecutors in the trial of the former Egyptian president are seeking the death penalty for Mubarak and seven others. Mubarak is facing charges that he ordered the deaths of more than 800 protesters during Egypt's uprising last year. After his ouster in February, he fled to a resort where he was beset by health problems that led to him being taken to court on a stretcher last summer. Mustafa Khater, the lead prosecutor, says that Mubarak, former minister of the interior Habib el-Adly, and six others all bear ultimate responsibility for the protesters' deaths, and should therefore meet a similar fate as those whose blood ran in the streets of Cairo. Khater's argument for the death penalty concludes the end of the prosecution's case in the trial, which has been adjourned until Jan. 9 when the defence will present its side.