Mubarak verdict postponed

Mubarak stands accused, together with seven of his former police commanders, of involvement in the killing of hundreds of demonstrators during the 2011 uprising that brought to an end his rule of Egypt.

The 86-year-old, brought by helicopter from hospital, was wheeled on an upright stretcher into the caged dock, dressed in the blue garb of a convicted felon and wearing his trademark shades.

Chief Judge Mahmoud Kamel el-Rashid explained once the session began that there had been insufficient time to finish writing the verdict, due to the thousands of case files that had to be reviewed. "Therefore the court has decided to postpone its ruling to November 29," he said.

First ever Egyptian ruler sent to prison

Last month, Mubarak, who ruled Egypt for nearly three decades, defended his legacy in a courtroom address - his first public statement since he was forced to step down in February 2011.

Mubarak was sentenced to life imprisonment in June 2012 for failing to prevent the protester killings, becoming the first ever Egyptian ruler to be tried and sent to prison.

In early 2013, the ruling was overturned on appeal and a retrial was ordered. Mubarak is already serving a three-year sentence on embezzlement of public money.

Bed-ridden, he is currently staying in an army hospital in southern Cairo.

glb/nm (dpa, AP, Reuters)