Cairo: To go on trial next week on
charges that could carry the death penalty, deposed Egyptian
President Hosni Mubarak is refusing to eat solid food in jail
and is suffering from "severe infirmity", official news agency
MENA reported.
It quoted Mohammed Fathallah, the head of the hospital
in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm El Sheik as saying that
Mubarak was only partaking liquids and had lost weight.
Mubarak, 83, has been in hospital in the resort town,
near his summer home, since he complained of heart pains when
first interrogated after being detained on April 1.
"He completely abstains from food and intakes only
some liquid and juices", the doctor was quoted, adding that
his condition was becoming "precarious".
Mubarak is scheduled to stand trial on August 3 with
his two sons and former interior minister Habib Al-Adil and
six police commanders. A judge has ruled that Mubarak would
face trial with Al-Adil on charges of police opening fire on
protesters at the iconic Tahrir square.
The news report has intensified speculation that
Mubarak`s illness could lead to postponement of his trial,
which might trigger a new wave of protests on the streets of
Cairo.
The protesters who led the February 11 uprising
leading to the downfall of Mubarak are back in strength at the
Tahrir square, charging the ruling military council of
delaying the trial and purge of Mubarak and his close aides.
New York Times quoting Arab sources reported that
protesters were wary that military was reluctant to humiliate
Mubarak further and prosecutors may be looking at excuses to
postpone the trial.
The location of Mubarak`s trial has not been
announced, but judicial sources say that it probably will be
held at Sharm El Sheik.
PTI
