CAIRO (Middle East Eye) – The sons of Egypt’s former president Hosni Mubarak were pictured in Abu Dhabi on Monday in a first foreign trip since the 2011 revolution that toppled their father.
Gamal Mubarak appeared in pictures shaking hands with the new president of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed, as world leaders visited the Persian Gulf country to pay respects after the death of former president Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The photos raised questions over how Mubarak was able to leave Egypt despite a longstanding travel ban against members of the family.
On Tuesday, the 58-year-old released a video statement declaring that his family has been cleared of corruption charges brought against them internationally in the wake of the 2011 pro-democracy uprising.
The video comes after Swiss federal prosecutors dropped an 11-year investigation into suspected money laundering by Egyptians close to Hosni Mubarak during the revolution, freeing up millions of dollars for the late strongman’s family.
Mubarak died in 2020 at the age of 91.
The Swiss judgment followed a decision by the European Union’s top court on 6 April to uphold a ruling deeming EU sanctions against Mubarak and his family unlawful and ordering the EU to pay legal costs incurred by the Mubaraks.
According to Transparency International, it is estimated that as president, Hosni Mubarak “stole nearly $70bn in public funds that are now concealed in France, Germany and Spain.” The international anti-corruption group said the EU court’s decision “signals impunity for corrupt actors.”
Hosni Mubarak was deposed in 2011 after the Egyptian revolution, when hundreds of thousands staged nationwide protests for 18 days demanding an end to his authoritarian 30-year rule.
In the aftermath of his ousting, the president, his two sons Alaa and Gamal, as well as senior members of his government, were charged with various crimes related to corruption and suppression of protests. Their assets in Switzerland were frozen immediately after Mubarak stepped down.