Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak appeared in a Cairo courtroom on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to charges that he was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of protesters.

He was wheeled into the court on a gurney and watched the proceedings from within a cage with other defendants, including two of his sons.

Often called `The Pharaoh` for his firm and unchallenged grip on Egypt`s presidency, Mubarak, 83, was deposed in February after three weeks of protests by that exploded throughout the world`s biggest Arab country.

He was joined by other defendants - his sons Alaa and Gamal, ex-interior minister Habib al-Adly and six former state officials - in a dependent`s cage. The trial`s proceedings were televised.

Mubarak faces charges of involvement in the killings of around 900 anti-government protesters and can be given the death penalty if found guilty.

The trial was originally planned to be held in a convention centre but the location was changed for security reasons.

Around 3,000 police and soldiers were present outside the academy where a crowd of protesters gathered. Inside there was room for 600 members of the public to observer the trial. Presiding judge Ahmed Refaat ordered called for silence after chanting broke out in the courtroom.

Mubarak was flown in from a hospital in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh where doctors say he has suffered from depression and heart palpitations. (A045)

Source: ANTARA