Egypt's top court orders retrial of Mubarak in corruption case, paves way for possible release

FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2014 file photo, ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, 86, lies on a gurney, next to his son Gamal, second left, in the defendants cage, during a court hearing in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt's top appeals court has ordered the retrial of the deposed president and his two sons in a corruption case, a move that could pave the way for the former autocrat's release. The Appeals Court announced its ruling in a brief session Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, carried live on several Egyptian TV networks. (AP Photo/Tarek el-Gabbas, File) (The Associated Press)

A supporter of ousted President Hisni Mubarak reacts in a courtroom to a verdict ordering a retrial in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015. Egypt's top appeals court has ordered the retrial of deposed President Hosni Mubarak and his two sons in a corruption case, a move that could pave the way for the former autocrat's release. (AP Photo/Ahmed Abd El-Gwad, El Shorouk Newspaper) EGYPT OUT (The Associated Press)

CAIRO – Egypt's top appeals court has ordered the retrial of deposed President Hosni Mubarak and his two sons in a corruption case, a move that could pave the way for the former autocrat's release.

The Appeals Court announced its ruling in a brief session Tuesday, carried live on several Egyptian TV networks.

The earlier verdict had sentenced Mubarak to three years imprisonment and his sons, Alaa and Gamal, to four years each while four other defendants were acquitted. Mubarak's lawyers appealed that ruling.

It's the only case keeping Mubarak behind bars. When a new court is assigned to look into the case, it could order Mubarak freed pending the trial.

Mubarak has been cleared in the case over the killing of protesters during Egypt's 2011 uprising.