The Revolutionary Reckoning
Egypt’s fallen leader, 83 year-old Hosni Mubarak, can only fall further as of today, since his long-awaited court trial has finally come to pass. Not only is this moment of an Arab leader being held to account for his crimes against his population both pre and during the Revolution sending out a stark message to other wobbly Arab leaders, but it is also the moment of truth for Egyptian activists who can feel the fruits of their labored Tahrir Revolution.
This is a momentous occasion in the Arab Revolution as we have an 'Arab Dictator' on trial by the people - not even by a military hearing. Saddam Hussein’s trial that saw him death-sentenced occurred under the framework of 'occupation', making this case truly precedent.
The ousting and aspired follow-through in the trial of Mubarak has been the raison d'etre for the whole Arab Awakening and now arguably- depending on the outcome- we could say that the Arabs have awoken. If convicted, he faces the death penalty. But since this is not guaranteed or even 'that' likely, these empowered people are forced to brace themselves for the worst-case scenario; - that he is let off by the trial, or assassinated by an impatient Egyptian.
Mubarak represents the focal point in the Arab Spring (now- turned Sizzling Summer) of thief-leader-of-his-people to come to trial-- given that Tunisian Ben Ali did a runner; and Ali Abdullah Saleh is still at large (though rumoured to have lost his hands, so could be said to have received his (Islamic) come-uppance already for stealing from the hands of the people); Gaddafi is possibly still going to have the opportunity to negotiate his way into a civilised departure or prolonged stay; and Syria's 'Lion' still has his teeth sunk into his people prey, and, far from letting-up or being judged by law, is killing his way in and beyond Hama.
As for the eager or hungry-viewing public, many Egyptians are pleased just to see Mubarak in court, hemmed into the 'cage,' or the holding cell where defendants in Egyptian criminal trials appear.
