Mubarak's legacy faces test in court and on the streets

One year after former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was brought down by a popular revolt, his fate remains uncertain. Mubarak's legacy will be decided in court, but also by the success or failure of the revolution.

By FRANCE 24 (text)

As Egypt marks the first year since the revolutiuon toppled president Hosni Mubarak, the eventual fate of the former leader still hangs in the balance. While many press to stamp out all traces of the regime, a few long for the stability it guaranteed.

The country's political order was turned on its head during the past 12 months. While once-banned Islamists became parliament’s dominant voting block, Mubarak has been dragged in and out of court since August.

The ailing, 83-year-old former strongman is accused of involvement in the deaths of hundreds of protesters during the revolt - charges for which prosecutors want the death penalty.

Mubarak’s interior minister and six security chiefs are also on trial for their part in the killings, while his sons Gamal and Alaa – symbols of power and wealth of the old regime- are also behind bars on charges of corruption.

Nevertheless, there are those in Egypt that miss the fallen leader and continue to defend his legacy. Added insecurity and sectarian strife have turned much of last year’s jubilation to frustration.

For several months after Mubarak fall his supporters took to Mustafa Mahmud square in central Cairo, holding up pictures of the fallen leader. Those demonstrations have ended, but support for Mubarak have since multiplied on the Internet.