CAIRO, Jan 5 (KUNA) -- Egyptian prosecutors demanded Thursday death sentence for ousted president Mohammad Hosni Mubarak, his two sons, ex-interior minister and six top security officials for the killing of hundreds of peaceful protesters, who forced him to step down.
"The prosecution demands the maximum penalty against Mubarak and the rest of the accused, which is death by hanging," Mustafa Khater, a member of the prosecution team, told a court in Thursday hearing.
Eighty three-year-old Mubarak appeared in a courtroom cage reserved for the accused along with his sons, former interior minister Habib el-Adly and six senior police officers.
"The killing of one person calls for a death penalty so what would the court say in a case where hundreds have been killed," Khater noted.
Mubarak, who ruled for three decades before he was forced on February 11 to step down after 18 days of public protests against his rule, is the first leader toppled by the wave of protests in the Arab world to stand trial in person.
On top of the charges related to the death of protesters, Mubarak and his co-defendants face charges including corruption, abuse of power and wasting public funds.
The judge adjourned the trial until January 9 and 10 when the plaintiffs' lawyers will make their final statements. (end) zab.ibi KUNA 052028 Jan 12NNNN¬