Mubarak denies ordering protesters’ deaths

CAIRO – Deposed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, addressing a Cairo court at length for the first time since being driven from office in a popular uprising three and a half years ago, on Wednesday offered up a forceful defense of his nearly three-decade rule and denied he had ordered the killing of more than 800 protesters.

Speaking from a gurney inside the defendants’ caged dock, the former leader, 86, appeared far more vigorous and healthy than in previous court appearances. Authorities have cited health problems as the reason for keeping him confined in a military hospital rather than prison as he serves a three-year term in a separate corruption case.

The ex-president told the court he would never countenance the killing of compatriots. He also said he voluntarily relinquished power in order to prevent the country from sliding into chaos and violence.

“I would never hand down orders for the killing of a single Egyptian citizen, under any circumstances,” he said.

Together with his two sons and seven former senior aides, Mubarak is accused of ordering the killing of demonstrators in the 2011 uprising against him.

The ex-president was previously convicted and sentenced to life in prison in connection with demonstrators’ deaths, but then won a retrial. A verdict is expected next month.