EGYPT’S FORMER first lady Suzanne Mubarak (70) was yesterday remanded in custody for 15 days while she is investigated for corruption.
This was the first interview she and Hosni Mubarak (83) had with this branch of the ministry of justice which is examining “charges that they used their position to acquire wealth illegally”.
Mr Mubarak also faces accusations that he ordered internal security agency forces to fire on protesters during the 18-day popular uprising that forced his resignation. His remand has been extended for 15 days.
At the conclusion of the three-hour interview, Ms Mubarak fainted, according to Dr Muhammad Fatahallah, director of the hospital where her husband has been residing since his first remand began.
The Mubaraks fled Cairo to their $6 million villa in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh after he was deposed on February 11th.
The focus of the investigation into Ms Mubarak’s affairs is said to be $3.3 million in her Egyptian bank accounts and a luxury home in Cairo. She has been accused of illegally appropriating funds from the $147 million bank account of the Library of Alexandria.
Reformers accuse the Mubaraks of illegally amassing fortunes worth tens of billions of dollars during his 30 years in power. Egypt, Britain and Switzerland have frozen their accounts.
Many Egyptians also deeply resent Ms Mubarak’s exercise of political influence during the waning years of her husband’s presidency. She is believed to be responsible for promoting her highly unpopular younger son Gamal as the former ruling party’s candidate for the presidency.
Gamal Mubarak is blamed for the rise in corruption that accompanied the country’s economic liberalisation. He and his brother Alaa have been confined to Cairo’s Tora Prison along with 24 former officials, ministers and businessmen who have been charged with graft and embezzlement.
