Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Freed ex-wife of Egyptian president, following the investigation

The wife of ousted President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt was released on Tuesday after delivering goods but remains under investigation, said an official who heads the investigation into whether he obtained their wealth illegally. Suzanne Mubarak, who denies charges that he molested her husband's influence to obtain illegal personal revenues, was admitted to hospital Friday after suffering heart attack symptoms.

She has been detained in the same hospital as her husband. In another decision, an appeals court also released on Tuesday by Mubarak's chief of staff, Zakaria Azmi, on bail of 200 thousand Egyptian pounds ($ 33.640) after almost six weeks in detention. Azmi, one of Mubarak's closest advisers, was detained for 15 days on 7 April in an investigation into allegations of illegal profits.

He was arrested on two other occasions since, in both cases for 15 days, court officials said. The official denies any criminal action. The decision came after Azmi's lawyer submitted an appeal for the release of his client. Under Egyptian law, a suspect can be detained for up to 45 days and then must be released or brought to trial.

The country's anti-corruption agency said it had informed the prosecutor to appeal the ruling in a criminal court. Mubarak, 83, is also being investigated for abuse of power, misappropriation of funds and responsibility for the deaths of protesters during the 18 days of uprisings that led to his ouster on Feb.

11. He is still detained. "Suzanne Mubarak was being released pending investigation after he gave his property for 24 million Egyptian pounds (4 billion) to state," said Assem el-Gohary, head of the authority of illicit proceeds to state radio. A state television and a local newspaper said Mubarak would apologize to the Egyptians and also return goods to the nation.

But a military source said the report was not true. The report adds to speculation the Egyptians about the fate of the couple, and it was reported that both suffered heart problems in the time that should have been transferred to jail for questioning. However, both remained in custody at the hospital in Sharm el-Sheikh, the Red Sea resort where they lived after Mubarak was removed from office.

"Both Mr. and Mrs. Mubarak had heart problems as soon as they ordered his arrest. Fool me once but twice," said Mohammed Yassin, a financial advisor for 26 years. The former president was hospitalized while in power, the last time for gallbladder surgery in March 2010. A judicial source had said earlier that Suzanne Mubarak would be released on bail, although the anti-corruption agency said there was no bail.

Some Egyptians said they were frustrated that the president's wife has been released, even if the investigation continues. "It must be stopped. I know that the Egyptians have a good heart ... but the state and the people have rights and is an insult to the state if someone steals your money and is released," said Mansour Khalil, who owns a fabric factory about 50 years.

But others said that given his age and his previous position, it was time to let it out. "At the age of Suzanne Mubarak, is humiliating for her to be imprisoned and now after he agreed to return the money and assets I think it's okay to be released," Younis said Abdellah, general manager of a state firm.

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