Witness details plans to control protests

CAIRO, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- An Egyptian security officer detailed a meeting of police officials on the need to control protesters at the trial of ousted President Hosni Mubarak Thursday.

Gen. Hassan Abdel Hameed told the court that during the session former Interior Minister Habib el-Adly discussed a plan to block entrances to Tahrir Square so pro-democracy demonstrators couldn't reach 1 million, al-Masry al-Youn reported.

Hameed, the ninth prosecution witness, said when he personally objected to the plan, Adly responded by transferring him to another post to "learn how to disperse protesters."

Mubarak is on trial in the deaths of protesters during the 18-day uprising that led to his downfall in February.

Another witness, Police Cmdr. Essam Shawky, testified Hameed told him Ardly had ordered his aides to use any means necessary to disperse the protesters.

Top members of Egypt's ruling military council are being called to testify at the trial to determine the role Mubarak, 83, played in putting down the protests.