Military says no pardon for Mubarak

CAIRO, May 18 (UPI) -- Egypt's ruling military council said Wednesday it will not pardon former President Hosni Mubarak, who is facing charges of corruption and abuse of power.

The announcement came a day after reports said Mubarak planned to appear on state television to apologize to the Egyptian people and plead for amnesty.

"What has been said by the media is absolutely false, that is the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces intends to concede a pardon to former President Hosni Mubarak and his family," Agenzia Giornalistica Italia reported the council said in a statement posted on its Facebook pag.

Meanwhile, Judge Assem al-Gohary, the assistant justice minister and head of the Illicit Gains Authority, ordered the release of Mubarak's wife Suzanne Tuesday, Ahram Online reported.

The ailing 84-year old former president also signed over his assets and property to the country, the Web site said.

Al-Gohary said a decision was made to release the former first lady after her lawyer submitted documents concerning bank accounts and property she owned in the country. He said she may be called to provide further evidence if ongoing investigations into the Mubarak regime produce new allegations, the Web site said.

Farid el-Deeb a high-profile defense lawyer representing the Mubarak family, said the former first lady agreed to turn over about $4 million in assets after acknowledging certain assets were public property, The Boston Globe reported.