Hosni Mubarak Released From Prison- Egypt

Egypt’s former dictator, Hosni Mubarak, was released on Thursday from prison and flown to a military hospital after appealing against his detention.

He is now expected to be put under house arrest, as the 85-year-old still faces charges of corruption and complicity in the killing of demonstrators during the protests that toppled him in 2011.

But in a nation polarized by more than a month of instability and violence since the overthrow of Mr. Mubarak’s successor, Mohammed Morsi, the release by the army-backed government was predictably welcomed by many Egyptians, while many also despised it.

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“He protected the country,” a housewife, Lobna Mohamed, in the crowd of Mubarak well-wishers was quoted by the New York Times as saying. “He is a good man, but we want (Abdel Fattah) Sisi now,” she said, referring to the army commander who overthrew Islamist Mohamed Morsi on July 3.

Another Egyptian was quoted by Reuters news agency as criticizing the release.

“He should stay in prison. The country is facing obstacles so people are turning back to Mubarak. They don’t know what they are doing,” said Hoda Saleh.