Mubarak Wheeled into Courtroom Cage, Denies All Charges

A video image taken from Egyptian State Television shows 83-year-old Hosni Mubarak laying on a hospital bed inside a cage of mesh and iron bars in a Cairo courtroom Wednesday Aug. 3, 2011

Egypt's ex-President Hosni Mubarak has denied charges of corruption and ordering the killing of protesters, on the opening day of his trial in Cairo, described as the "trial of the century" by the Arab media.

The former dictator was wheeled on a hospital bed into a cage in court to the astonishment of onlookers outside, BBC reported, citing correspondents.

The 83-year-old is being tried with his sons, who also deny charges against them, ex-Interior Minister Habib al-Adly and six other former officials.

The charges against the Mubaraks were read out, and Hosni Mubarak and his sons each denied them.

"Yes, I am here," the former president said, raising his hand slightly when the judge asked him to identify himself and enter a plea. "I deny all these accusations completely."

Mubarak was forced from office by mass demonstrations in February.

The charge of ordering the killing of protesters carries the death penalty.

Until the last moment there was doubt whether Mr Mubarak would actually appear in the court, correspondents say.

His defence team claimed he was seriously ill and there had been speculation they might negotiate for him to remain in the hospital wing of the police academy while the proceedings took place in the courtroom.

But Mr Mubarak was wheeled into the cage from where he observed proceedings with the other defendants, including his two sons Alaa and Gamal.

Judge Ahmed Rifaat opened the session by asking for order, saying: "The civilised Egyptian people require calm... to make sure that the mission of the court is carried out fully so we can please God almighty and our consciences".

Despite that, the court session was at times unruly, with lawyers jostling and clamouring to be heard by the judge.

Arab media described it as the "trial of the century" and reports say people all over the region were glued to televisions and radios for news of the proceedings.

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