Mubarak denies all charges as trial begins

Wheeled into a cage in the courtroom on a hospital bed, 83-year-old Mubarak is being tried with his sons, who also deny charges against them, ex-Interior Minister Habib al-Adly and six other former officials.

Mubarak's trial was originally going to be held in a Cairo convention centre but the authorities moved the venue to a temporary courtroom set up inside the academy because of security concerns.

But up until the last moment there was doubt whether Mubarak would actually appear in the court, the BBC reports.

His defence team have argued that he is seriously ill leading to 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 Mubarak was wheeled into the cage from where he observed proceedings with the other defendants, including his two sons Alaa and Gamal.

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

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

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

Some 3,000 soldiers and police were drafted in to maintain order at the police academy for the first day of the trial of Mubarak and his sons, which has now been adjourned until 15 August.

The trial of al-Adly and the six other security officials is due to resume on Thursday.

An estimated 600 people are thought to be watching the proceedings in and outside the courtroom, with millions more watching on TV.

An official quoted by the state news agency, Mena, said Mubarak would stay at a hospital within the police academy compound during the trial to ensure he could attend the sessions.

Over the past month there have been renewed sit-in protests in Tahrir Square by people angry with the slow pace of change in the country.

Among their demands to the military council in charge has been the call for speedier trial for former regime officials.

On Monday and Tuesday, police backed by army troops moved in to clear the last few protesters from square.

The former Interior Minister, Adly, has already been sentenced to 12 years in jail for money-laundering and profiteering.

The former Egyptian leader resigned on 11 February, after 18 days of protests in Cairo's Tahrir Square, in which some 850 people were killed.