AHMED AMER, 30, WATER FIRM EMPLOYEE OUTSIDE COURT IN CAIRO: “I don't believe this ... to see a president being tried ... I never imagined it. I am so happy, I feel tomorrow will be better and that the next president knows what could happen to him if he goes against his people.” PRO-MUBARAK PROTESTERS OUTSIDE COURT: “Oh Mubarak hold your head high,” they chanted. “We will demolish the prison and burn it down if Hosni Mubarak is sentenced.” MOTHER OF PROTESTER MOHAMED SOLIMAN KILLED, IN CAIRO: “I feel victorious that I am seeing the dog and his sons in cage. I don't want him to die, I want to see him sick and suffering lying as we see in huniliation.” MUSTAPHA AL-SAYYED, POLITICAL ANALYST: “I think people do not trust Mubarak ... Coming to court in this way could be seen as a ploy by him to gain the sympathy of the people. Some people could indeed sympathize with him but that does not make him unfit for trial. The seriousness of the crime required his presence and we are waiting to see what he will say to court.” ABU ALI, 51, COFFEE SHOP OWNER IN SHARM EL-SHEIKH: “He does not seem remorseful at all. Neither he nor Adli look remorseful. Mubarak looks amused as if he is watching a show,” he said, speaking next to a fuel station near the Sharm El-Sheikh hospital where Mubarak stayed and where a dozen people are huddled watching the trial. KHALED HASSAN, 41, A PLUMBER IN CAIRO: “I am sad, really sad. I never imagined seeing my president lie on a bed like this. After all he is an old man, there should be mercy. But I don't care for his sons, they can do what they want with them.” MOHAMED NAGUIB, 32, IN SHARM EL-SHEIKH: “Why is he on a stretcher? Is he handicapped? This is playing on people's emotions so we can all start crying over an old man. The start is not bad and seems serious but it is too early to decide whether it remains fair and serious to the end.” AN ARMY OFFICER, DECLINED TO GIVE HIS NAME: “The armed forces are committed to bringing justice to the Egyptian people. This step unites the army and the people in building a better system free of corruption.” SAWSAN BADRI, 33, MOTHER FROM CAIRO VISITING SHARM EL-SHEIKH: “This is a historical step in this country's history. This is Egyptian willpower.” AHMED HASSAN, 47, BUS DRIVER IN SHARM EL-SHEIKH: “I am proud to see Egypt as a pioneer in holding presidents and leaders accountable for their actions. This is real democracy in the making. We need to hold fast and press for a just and firm trial and verdict.” __
