As Mubarak nears freedom, Egyptian activists languish in jail

Zyad el-Elaimy was among millions who rallied to overthrow Hosni Mubarak in 2011, but four years later he has been visiting activists in jail, as the ousted strongman edges closer to freedom.

The jubilation that marked the toppling of Mubarak - a key event of the 2011 Arab spring - is dead as activists say an even more autocratic regime now rules the most populous Arab country.

Since he deposed Mubarak's successor, Islamist leader Mohammed Mursi, in 2013, former army chief and now President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi is accused of having installed a more repressive regime.

But Sisi enjoys support from many Egyptians weary of political and economic turmoil.

"Bread, freedom, social justice and human dignity" were not just slogans but the aims of pro-democracy activists who converged in their millions on Cairo's iconic Tahrir Square in a movement that overthrew Mubarak.

After his ousting, Mubarak was detained and put on trial with his security chiefs on charges of involvement in the deaths of protesters during the revolt.