Hosni Mubarak's trial to resume after courthous scuffles

The court case was adjourned for a day after scuffles broke out in court on Monday between his supporters and opponents.

Today’s hearing will be the fourth session of the trial. Earlier this week on Monday, the prosecution called on four senior police officials who were expected to give evidence about Mubarak's role in the crackdown.

One of the officials, Gen Hussein Saeed Mohamed Mursi told the court that police were ordered to prevent protesters from reaching Cairo's Tahrir Square "as the situation mandated and the freedom was left to them to deal with protesters in a manner they saw fit".

He however testified that he had never heard of "any incident where an order was given to use live ammunition against protesters", Reuters news agency reports.

Emotions were running high outside the court during Monday's hearing, with some people chanting in favour of Mubarak and others were saying he should hang. Scuffles inside the court also erupted when someone raised a photo of the former president which was seized and burnt.

The presiding judge later banned live TV coverage.

The trial of Mr Mubarak and his sons Gamal and Alaa has been merged with that of former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly, who is also accused of ordering the killing of protesters.

All the defendants deny the charges.