The head of Egypt's ruling military council is due to appear in a Cairo court today to testify in the trial of former president Hosni Mubarak over the killing of protesters in January.
Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi - who served for 20 years as Mr Mubarak's defence minister before he became the head of the ruling military council in February - has been called to testify behind closed doors and under a complete news blackout.
The military council has been under pressure from activists who overthrew Mr Mubarak to ensure swift justice for the nearly 850 people killed during the uprising.
Field Marshall Tantawi's testimony could be crucial in deciding if Mr Mubarak was guilty or innocent.
Driven from office in February after three decades in power, Mr Mubarak is the first Arab leader to stand trial in person since unrest erupted across the Middle East this year.
Judge Ahmed Refaat last week ordered an accelerated trial of Mubarak and his former Interior Minister Habib al-Adli, who are charged with conspiring to kill protesters and inciting some officers to use live ammunition.
Mubarak's two sons, Alaa and Gamal, are also on trial in the same case.
