Egyptians call for death penalty for Mubarak.

Agência Brasil - Protests gathered thousands of Egyptians in the early hours of today (3), after the life sentence of former president Hosni Mubarak yesterday (2). The crowds, which gathered in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and Mansoura, called for the death penalty for the former president and criticized the fact that six important ministers and officials from the Mubarak era were acquitted of charges of involvement in 850 deaths that occurred during the popular uprising last year. Tahrir Square, a symbolic location for the anti-government demonstrations in 2011, was once again occupied by protesters, who say they intend to remain there. Also present were prominent public figures and football fans known as Ultras, who have been involved in several political clashes.

In the square, slogans against the Egyptian military government echoed once again. The anger of the protesters there was mainly due to the acquittal of members of the security forces, which was seen by Egyptians as a sign that few reforms had been implemented since the end of the Mubarak era.

Others took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the current political situation. After the first round of the first free presidential elections in May, Egyptians now have to choose, in the second round, between Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's former prime minister, and the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, Mohammed Morsi.

In a statement following the trial, Amnesty International said that Mubarak's conviction is a significant step against impunity in Egypt. The organization added that the acquittal of members of the security forces "still leaves many waiting for justice."

At 84 years old and after three decades ruling Egypt, Mubarak is the first among the leaders affected by the Arab Spring to be tried in his country. He was convicted as an accomplice in the deaths of 850 opponents of his regime during the first days of anti-government protests in 2011. According to the judge in the case, Ahmed Refaat, the former president and his former minister Habib Adly failed to prevent security forces from using lethal weapons against unarmed demonstrators.

Mubarak listened to his verdict with an impassive expression, lying on a hospital stretcher and wearing sunglasses. But, upon being taken to Tora prison, he reportedly suffered a "health crisis," according to Egyptian state television, and was admitted to the prison hospital.

His two sons, who faced corruption charges, were acquitted, but will still be tried for alleged manipulation of the financial market. Soon after Mubarak's verdict, the country was in an uproar – initially, many celebrated the sentence, but soon became outraged by the news of the acquittal of the former president's allies. Some supporters of the old regime, in turn, also protested against the conviction.