2011-04-12 Hosni Mubarak and Sons Detained for fifteen days #Egypt

Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak will be detained for 15 days, according to the facebook page of Egypt's prosecutor general, on accusations of corruption and abuse of authority. The facebook statement says the investigation will cover the orders to open fire on demonstrators (covered here on WL Central) as well as any abuse of the president's authority for personal gain.

Earlier today Mubarak was reported by state TV to be taken into intensive care after suffering heart problems following questioning over the killing of protesters and embezzling of public funds. Mubarak's sons sons Alaa and Gamal have also been detained for investigation regarding corruption and violence.

The announcement is a victory for protesters who early on Saturday filled Tahrir Square with hundreds of thousands for one of the biggest protests since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted. Protesters demanded a more thorough removal of the corrupt old regime and a transfer of power from the military council to civilian rule. Thirteen people are reported wounded and two dead from an attempt by the army to clear the protesters. "All of us, the people, the army and the government, feel regret for the events of last Saturday," the Egyptian prime minister, Essam Sharaf said on state TV on Monday.

MENA, the state news media, also reported that Safwat Sherif, former head of the upper house of parliament, was to be detained in Torah Prison for 15 days as part of a probe into accusations of graft, and Fathi Sorour, former speaker of the lower house of parliament, was detained for questioning on Wednesday over accusations he had amassed large amounts of money illegally. The panel, chaired by senior justice ministry official Essam el-Gawahri, has been investigating businessmen and former officials suspected of corruption.