Court rejects Mubarak amnesty referendum

CAIRO, Feb. 29 (UPI) -- An Egyptian court has rejected a lawsuit seeking a referendum on whether to give amnesty to ex-President Hosni Mubarak and his family.

The lawsuit had sought the referendum in exchange for Mubarak and his family members surrendering their money, al-Masry al-Youm reported.

The State Council's Administrative Court said no provision in the constitution or law allows a referendum to pardon a previous president and there had been no prior administrative ruling doing so.

The lawsuit, filed against the military council and the cabinet, said Mubarak's wife, Suzanne, was pardoned after giving up her money.

The former president, former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly and six high-ranking security officers face charges of killing protesters during the 18-day uprising last January and February that led to the end of Mubarak's 30-year rule. More than 850 people died during the uprising.

Mubarak, his sons Gamal and Alaa and businessman Hussein Salem also face corruption charges.

Cairo Criminal Court concluded its hearings last week, and Judge Ahmed Refaat said Wednesday a verdict would come June 2.

Some Egyptians sympathize with Mubarak, al-Masry al-Youm said.