Mubarak case blacked out for security

• Tweet

CAIRO, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- A decision by a Cairo court to discontinue live television broadcasts of Hosni Mubarak's trial was taken for national security reasons, an advocate says.

Mubarak, ousted as president in the Egyptian revolution early this year, is facing a Cairo court along with Interior Minister Habib al-Adly and members of his inner circle. They face murder charges in connection with the deaths of unarmed demonstrators during the country's revolution.

The court Monday decided to end live television coverage of the trial. Khaled Ali, director of the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights, told Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm the court's decision was the right one.

"After reading about the case, it is clear that the decision was made in preparation for summoning (Supreme Council of the Armed Force chief Hussein) Tantawi and (former Vice President Omar) Suleiman," he said. "These witnesses will be addressing delicate state matters regarding the period before, during and after Mubarak's resignation."

Suleiman had told Egyptian prosecutors that Mubarak knew of the events unfolding during the revolution, receiving hourly updates about the unrest from Adly in January and February.

Mubarak denied the validity of the charges during his initial hearing in early August. Adly is accused of ordering snipers deployed to key locations in Cairo. Their cases were linked by the court Monday.