Egypt protests spread after Mubarak trial

Egyptians who spearheaded the overthrow of former leader Hosni Mubarak on Monday called for more protests against the country’s military rulers.

They are angry about the outcome of the 84-year-old’s trial and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces’ interference in drafting a new constitution.

Many activists say the military wants to curb the next president’s powers to protect its own interests.

“We have to defend the rights of the martyrs and we have to retry Mubarak. This verdict is unacceptable,” said one woman demonstrating on Tahrir Square.

A male protester in central Cairo said: “We demand elections again and the retrial of Mubarak. We demand to write the constitution before we go to presidential elections.”

Mubarak-era prime minister Ahmed Shafiq will face a presidential election run-off against the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Mursi on June 16-17.

Activists say Shafiq’s showing is proof that the old regime still wields too much influence.

On Saturday, a Cairo court acquitted Mubarak’s sons of corruption and six senior commanders also escaped punishment.

Mubarak was sentenced to life in jail for complicity in the killing of protesters. He had faced the death penalty.

Copyright © 2013 euronews