Egypt officials: Mubarak could be freed this week

[August 19, 2013]  CAIRO (AP) -- Egyptian judiciary officials say former President Hosni Mubarak could be freed from custody this week.

They say a court on Monday ordered his release in a corruption case that alleged he and his two sons embezzled funds for presidential palaces.

Mubarak has been ordered released in two other court cases against him -- the killing of protesters during the 2011 uprising that toppled him and another in case, on illegal earnings.

Mubarak is on retrial for the protesters' killing but cannot be held in custody anymore because of a two-year limit pending a final verdict.

He is also facing trial for alleged acceptance of presents from state newspapers but has already repaid their value.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to media.

[Associated Press; By HAMZA HENDAWI]

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