Released, but detained: Egyptian court rules on ex-President Mubarak’s custody

A court in Cairo has ordered the release of President Hosni Mubarak over the deaths of protesters during the 2011 uprisings in Egypt. However, he will remain in custody pending investigations into corruption charges, Ahram Online reported.

Mubarak was earlier charged with complicity in the killing of hundreds of protesters during the January 2011 popular uprising, and for the alleged embezzlement of state funds.

Conflicting reports from Al Arabiya and some Egyptian news outlets emerged during the trial, saying that Mubarak had been acquitted of any culpability in the murder of protesters. Al Arabiya later reported that no such ruling had been announced, and the former leader’s parole was still under discussion.

Mubarak’s lawyer argued that he already spent the maximum period of time in custody for a term of temporary detention.

Egypt's toppled president also faces a number of other charges, including fraud, which the judge ruled must be dealt with before the ex-leader is released.

Mubarak’s two year temporary custody was extended by 15 days on Sunday.

The former leader’s retrial was postponed on Saturday after the judge presiding over the case recused himself, referring it to another court and saying he did not want to “embarrass” himself. The announcement sparked outrage and clashes both inside and outside the courtroom.

Mubarak was sentenced to life imprisonment last June for the same charges. It was decided that although he did not actively approve the killing of around 900 protesters, he did not comply with his duty as president to protect Egyptian citizens. His life sentence was later overturned in an appeals court and Mubarak was granted a retrial.

Egypt’s former leader is currently being held in a military hospital in Cairo where he is reportedly receiving treatment for a heart condition, fluid in the lungs and a number of other ailments.