Judge blocks lawyers representing victims families from trial of Egypt’s Mubarak

The judge in the retrial of Egypt’s ousted President Hosni Mubarak has rejected a request by lawyers representing victims’ families to participate in the hearings.

The former president, who ruled Egypt for nearly 30 years, is accused of corruption and collusion in the killing of nearly 900 protesters during the 2011 revolt that ousted him.

Hoda Nasrallah, a human rights lawyer representing 65 victims’ families, says the decision Saturday means that only state prosecutors and Mubarak’s defense lawyers may take part in hearings. In Mubarak’s first trial, rights’ lawyers were allowed to speak in court.

Nasrallah says lawyers like herself will now largely be observers in the criminal case against Mubarak, which also includes his two sons and interior minister.

The trial was adjourned to June 10.