Egyptian Protesters Tear Gassed Following The Overturning Of Mubarak’s Sentence

Egyptian police fired tear gas at protesters Saturday evening as they congregated near Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo following a court decision clearing former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak of charges, Reuters reports. Mubarak had been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted in 2012 of plotting to kill 239 protestors during the 18-day rebellion than ended his 30-year rule. However, he was granted a retrial through an appeals court, which decided to overturn the charges. A judge stated Mubarak never should have been charged.

While his supporters celebrated, about 1,000 protesters expressed their opposition to the ruling, chanting "down with the military regime!" Reuters reported.

Officers used water cannons and birdshot to disperse the crowd, in addition to tear gas, claiming members of the Muslim Brotherhood organization were among the peaceful demonstrators. Several protesters and Egyptian journalists were arrested, RT reported.

Protestors claim the 2011 revolution is being reversed. Many also oppose Eygpt’s current leader Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who took power after overthrowing Mohammed Morsi, who won Egypt's first free election in 2012.

Mubarak will remain in prison. He is serving a three-year sentence for embezzlement not connected to the charges from which he has been cleared. Mubarak could still be charged in the future if the case is appealed again.