[JURIST] An Egyptian court on Saturday began the retrial of former president Hosni Mubarak and his two sons for their alleged diversion of public funds to upgrade family properties last year. The three allegedly diverted [Reuters report] funds that were to be used for renovations to the presidential palace. Mubarak and his sons were originally imprisoned for their convictions. Mubarak was handed a three-year sentence, and his two sons each handed four-year sentences. Mubarak and his sons were released [JURIST report] in January. The former president’s case is now adjourned until April 29.

Mubarak and other members of his administration have been the subject of controversial judicial proceedings since the 2011 Egyptian Revolution [JURIST backgrounder]. In March an Egyptian court cleared [JURIST report] Mubarak-era official Habib el-Adly of corruption charges after his having been accused of using his political influence to acquire approximate 181 million Egyptian pounds (USD $23 million). In February the Cairo Criminal Court acquitted [JURIST report] el-Adly and Mubarak-era prime minister Ahmed Nazif of “squandering public funds and profiteering” after allegedly making an illegal deal with German Company UTSCH to sell license plates for higher than market value. In January an Egyptian court overturned [JURIST report] Mubarak’s fraud conviction. In December 2013 an Egyptian court acquitted [JURIST report] former Egyptian prime minister and presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq and Alaa and Gamal Mubarak of charges of embezzling public funds.