Court orders Mubarak’s name removed from buildings

Associated Press

CAIRO

An Egyptian court on Thursday ordered the name of ousted President Hosni Mubarak and his wife Suzanne removed from all public facilities and institutions, the latest step in dismantling the legacy of the former leader’s 29 years in power.

Early in his rule, Mubarak said that out of modesty he didn’t want his name put on public buildings, but there are now hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of schools, streets, squares and libraries that bear the name of the former leader or his wife — as well as a major subway station in central Cairo.

Now all those will have to go, a new blow to Mubarak, who was ousted Feb. 11 and last week was put under detention in a hospital for investigation on charges of corruption and the deadly shooting of protesters. Mubarak’s wife, Suzanne, who wielded a great deal of behind-the-scenes influence over how the country was run, is due to be questioned over allegations of illegally amassing wealth.

In announcing the ruling, Judge Mohammed Hassan Omar said “people have uncovered Mubarak’s journey of corruption.”

“It has become clear that the size of the corruption [under Mubarak] that’s being uncovered every day exceeds by far anyone’s imagination,” he said.