Mubarak and sons detained

CAIRO (AP):

Ousted President Hosni Mubarak and his two sons were detained yesterday for investigation of corruption, abuse of power and killings of protesters, bringing cheers of victory from activists who hoped it marked a turning point in Egypt's turbulent transition to democracy.

The 82-year-old Mubarak was under detention in a hospital, a step prosecutors depicted as a precaution to monitor his health while under questioning.

regime personalities jailed

His sons Gamal, once seen as Mubarak's successor, and Alaa, a wealthy businessman, were jailed in Cairo's Torah prison, where a string of former top regime figures, including Mubarak's prime minister, ruling party chief and chief of staff, are already languishing, facing similar corruption investigations.

The detention of the man who ruled Egypt unquestioned for 29 years set a new landmark in the already unprecedented wave of upheaval shaking the Middle East. It was arguably the first time an authoritarian leader in the Arab world has been brought to justice by his own people, given that Saddam Hussein was toppled and later captured by American troops, who handed him over for trial and execution by Iraq's new Shiite rulers.

Corruption had been rife under Mubarak's regime. In a country where 40 per cent of the population lives on $2 a day or less, many resented the business tycoon-politicians elevated to power by Gamal Mubarak and accused of looting the nation's coffers to enrich themselves.