Inside Story - Prosecuting Mubarak
The Egyptian public prosecutor has issued an order to summon Hosni Mubarak, the former president of Egypt, and his two sons, Alaa and Gamal, for questioning over allegations of corruption. Just hours earlier Mubarak had made his first public statement since his dramatic departure from office. He denied being involved in corruption and denied having financial assets in foreign countries. For his part the public prosecutor said Mubarak's speech will not have any impact on the legal measures against him and his family. All this follows a crackdown on protestors in Tahrir Square on Friday and Saturday, in which two people were killed and 70 injured. So, would a trial appease those worried about a counter revolution in Egypt? Or might it further strain relations between the army and the people?

Bahrain Hardliners to Put Shia MPs On Trial
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Bahrain is facing renewed turmoil after regime hardliners began preparations to put on trial Shia legislators accused of backing protests.

The kingdom’s parliament effectively stripped 11 MPs from the Wefaq party – a quarter of the legislature’s sitting members – of their immunity from prosecution, signalling a further hardening of the ruling family’s position.

Western human rights activists also accused the regime of torturing wounded protesters being held in a hospital in the capital Manama. » | Adrian Blomfield, Middle East Correspondent | Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Prosecution of Wilders Will Go Ahead
RADIO NETHERLANDS WORLWIDE: The Public Prosecutor's Office will now definitely go ahead with the prosecution of the populist MP Geert Wilders for inciting hatred and discrimination. The Supreme Court refused to consider an appeal from Mr Wilders' lawyer Bram Moszkowicz to get the case dropped. This was the last avenue of appeal.

Initially the Public Prosecutor had no intention of putting Mr Wilders on trial, until an Amsterdam court responded to complaints lodged by prominent lawyer Gerard Spong and others by ruling that Mr Wilders had exceeded his parliamentary privilege and committed punishable offences.

He will be charged with inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims, particularly by comparing the Qur'an with Hitler's Mein Kampf and Islam with fascism.

On the website of his Freedom Party, Mr Wilders said, "It is a political trial. I am being prosecuted for saying about Islam what millions of Dutch people think. Freedom of speech is in danger of being sacrificed on the altar of Islam." Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin commented, "We do not have political trials in the Netherlands." [Source: RNW] | Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Saudi Cleric: Prosecute Prominent Business Tycoons
YNET NEWS: Islamic law professor issues religious decree calling for prosecution of Waleed bin Talal, al-Waleed al-Ibrahim as 'drug dealers' for owning commercial TV channels broadcasting 'inappropriate programs'

Waleed bin Talal, one of the richest men in the world. Photo courtesy of Ynet News
A Saudi cleric has published a "fatwa" (Islamic decree) calling for the prosecution of two of the kingdom's most prominent businessmen, who belong to the ruling family.

This fatwa is unusual as it states the names of the two officials and is not just a general call. The two men mentioned are business tycoon Waleed bin Talal, one of the wealthiest people on earth, and al-Waleed al-Ibrahim, the brother-in-law of former Saudi King Fahd.

Yusuf al-Ahmad, an Islamic law professor, called for the two men's prosecution as "drug dealers" due to the fact that they own commercial television channels broadcasting "inappropriate programs". Bin Talal owns Rotana TV and al-Ibrahim owns the MBC channel. >>> Doron Peskin | Tuesday, March 10, 2009

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