Mubarak healthy to attend trial: Egypt's govt

On the eve of the much-awaited court hearing of Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian authorities on Tuesday said the 83-year-old former president is healthy enough to travel to Cairo to stand trial for killing of pro-democracy activists during a popular uprising that ousted his regime.

Mubarak, whose trial will begin tomorrow, is under arrest in a Sharm el-Sheikh hospital since April, where he is undergoing treatment for a heart condition.

Egyptian Health Minister Amr Helmy told Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper that Mubarak can travel to stand trial in Cairo and the cabinet would coordinate with the health and interior ministries to transport Mubarak.

The health ministry will ensure that a medical team and healthcare are provided for Mubarak during the trip, but the interior ministry is responsible for other necessary procedures, Helmy said. He said Mubarak's health condition has not changed recently and he still suffers depression and a low appetite.

However, it is not clear whether Mubarak's doctors will allow transferring him from the Red Sea resort town to the capital city.

The trial will include Mubarak's sons, Alaa and Gamal, former interior minister Habib al-Adly and six of his assistants. Mubarak was forced to resign in February after the nationwide revolt.

Besides the killing of protesters, Mubarak has been charged with involvement in corruption and abuse of power. If found guilty of the murder charge, Mubarak may be executed.

Meanwhile, the country's Interior Minister Mansour al-Essawy on Tuesday inspected the courtroom at the Police Academy, where Mubarak's trial will take place.

The minister met with a number of his assistant security leaders to discuss the final plan for securing the trial and the surrounding area. The armed forces will also help with security.

Deputy Justice Minister Mohamed Manei confirmed that only state TV will carry a live broadcast of the trial.           
Earlier, the authorities had planned to conduct the trial in Cairo's huge Convention Centre, just yards away from the Presidential palace, but later shifted it to the Police Academy citing security reasons.