Egyptian court acquits 3 ex-ministers, convicts 1

By Sarah El Deeb

Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, July 5 2011 4:55 a.m. MDT

An Egyptian girl take pictures of fires following clashes at the center garden where protesters camp at Tahrir Square, the focal point of Egypt uprising in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, July 3, 2011. Hundreds of protesters are rallying in Cairo's Tahrir Square demanding quick trials for ousted figures from the former regime of President Hosni Mubarak.

Amr Nabil, Associated Press

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Summary

An Egyptian court has acquitted three Mubarak-era ministers of corruption charges while finding a fourth guilty in absentia.

CAIRO — An Egyptian court has acquitted three Mubarak-era ministers of corruption charges while finding a fourth guilty in absentia.

Anger over corruption fueled the uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak in February, and courts have since convicted several former officials.

Still, many Egyptians feel the courts have not done enough in pursuing former regime figures.

Those acquitted are ex-minister of housing, Ahmed Maghrabi, former Finance Minister Yousef Boutros-Ghali and ex-minister of information, Anas el-Fiqqi.

Former Trade Minister Rachid Mohammed Rachid was sentenced to five years in prison, ordered to return $335,000 to the state and pay a fine in the same amount.

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