Egyptians divided on ex-president Mubarak's release from jail

Egyptians are divided over the release of their former president Hosni Mubarak, who was flown from Cairo's Tora prison to a military hospital Thursday.

The 85-year-old is on trial for complicity in killing protesters and for corruption. But a court earlier this week ordered his release on bail.

He's been held for more than two years, which is the maximum time allowed for pre-trial detentions. There had been fears his release could further stoke tensions. But some analysts said that the Egyptian public's reaction has been surprising.

Many people on the streets of Cairo said they agree with Mubarak's release.

"Releasing Mubarak is the best thing they did, because what use will it have keeping him in prison. After all he was a leader of a big country," said a Cairo resident, Nasser Galal.

"His release would not cause instability, because we respect law and justice. We are not against anyone," said another resident Mahmoud el Werd, who added that Mubarak was once a representative for Egypt and they never meant to insult him.

But some people were not pleased with his release.

"They say they are releasing him because there isn't enough evidence. The biggest evidence that he was there is the ignorance and poverty we were living," said Tarek Hani.

Due to the current state of emergency and curfew, Interim Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawi, the deputy military ruler, has ordered that Mubarak be kept under house arrest.

But that could be lifted once the emergency law is over.

On another note, the USA called for the release of the recently ousted president Mohammed Morsi.


AP