Egypt8217;s ex-spy chief testifies in Mubarak trial

Egypt8217;s ex-spy chief and vice president is testifying in Hosni Mubarak8217;s trial,the first in a string of members of the ousted president8217;s inner circle to appear in court.

Prosecutors have called Omar Suleiman,74,who served as Egypt8217;s intelligence chief for nearly two decades,and others to shed light on Mubarak8217;s alleged role in the death of protesters.

Egypt8217;s military ruler Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi failed to appear in court Sunday as expected. The judge summoned him to appear later this month.

It is unprecedented for a court in Egypt to summon such high-level figures particularly authorities from the highly secretive military and intelligence services. The court has ordered a total media blackout.