Mubarak guilty, jailed for life

The verdict was given in a makeshift court, a lecture hall once named after Mubarak in the police academy in Cairo, amid unprecedented security. Crows outside the court shouted as they watched the event live on a giant screen.

Mubarak, laying on a hospital bed inside a cage of mesh and iron bars, was grim-faced and silent as Presiding Judge Ahmed Refaat handed down the life sentence for the 84-year-old former leader.

Mubarak was charged with corruption and involvement in the deaths of hundreds of anti-government protesters during last year's 18-day uprising that forced him to resign on February 11.

His conviction sends a powerful message to other political and military leaders in Egypt. It is seen as a big lesson to the country's next president to ensure that he can no longer act with impunity.

Millions of people in Egypt and other countries watched the verdict on live television, including this Washington-based editor.

But the most populous Arab state is bitterly divided over him. Many believe that Egypt enjoyed peace under his 30-year rule. Others believe that under him, Egypt lost its status in the Middle East, and plunged into poverty and runaway corruption.

The verdict comes at a politically sensitive time, and is not expected to bring a defenitive end to Mubarak's era.

Many Egyptians are deeply disappointed by the choice they now face as Egypt gears up for a presidential runoff slated for June 16-17.  It is between Islamist candidate Mohamed Morsi and Mubarak's close ally and last prime minister Ahmed Shafiq.