Jailed ex-Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak will go free, a court ruled Wednesday, and judicial spokespeople said he may be back on the streets before the end of the week.
“Maybe tomorrow,” his attorney Fareed al-Deeb said of Mr. Mubarak’s impending release after leaving the Tora prison where the deposed leader is being held, Reuters reported.
The attorney successfully argued that Mr. Mubarak, who was convicted last June of standing by and tacitly allowing his military to kill demonstrators in the streets of Egypt, should be released to prepare for a retrial that began earlier this year.
Mr. Mubarak, who ruled in Egypt for 30 years, was ousted from office in early 2011, accused of corruption, and sent to jail. He still faces a trial for his alleged role in the killing of protesters.
His release does not mean he will resume a political role in the ailing nation, which is currently in chaos as interim government forces battle Muslim Brotherhood members who want to see their own ousted president, Mohammed Morsi, return to office.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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