Egypt: Two Mubarak sons and ex-prime minister acquitted of corruption

CAIRO -- Two sons of ousted autocratic leader Hosni Mubarak, along with his last prime minister, were acquitted Thursday on corruption charges in a case that suggested a reversal of fortune for members of the government overthrown in the so-called Arab Spring of 2011.

The acquittal of Mubarak’s two sons Gamal and Alaa, together with Ahmed Shafiq, the last prime minister to serve under Mubarak, was a reminder of the near-total power once enjoyed by the president and his inner circle.

Four retired generals were acquitted as well, according to Egyptian state media.

The case stemmed from a 1995 land sale involving large profits for those concerned. Under Egypt’s current military-backed government, many remnants of the former regime -- known as “felool” -- are reasserting some of the authority and privilege they enjoyed during the Mubarak era.

The two Mubarak sons, like their father, still face additional legal proceedings, as does Shafiq. The elder Mubarak’s retrial is underway after his earlier conviction was overturned.

laura.king@latimes.com

@laurakingLAT