Clashes erupt outside Mubarak court

The supporters and opponents of Hosni Mubarak clash outside his court in the capital, Cairo, August 3, 2011.

Egyptian security forces have clashed with protesters outside the court where the trial of Egypt's ousted President Hosni Mubarak began in the country's capital, Cairo. 

The Egyptian security forces wounded scores of protesters during the violence that erupted when the court's judge, Ahmed Refaat, adjourned the session for a short break. 

Among the wounded were families of the victims who were killed during the revolution in Egypt.

Medics say most of the injured were treated outside the courtroom and those with more serious wounds were taken to hospital.

The trial of Mubarak and his sons was later adjourned until August 15.

Clashes also broke out between supporters and opponents of Mubarak who were watching the court proceedings on a large screen outside.

Egyptians are anxiously following Mubarak's trial across the country. People have gathered in Cairo's shops and cafes to watch the trial on television.

Mubarak is the first Arab leader to stand trial in person since popular uprisings swept the Arab world.

He faces charges of corruption as well as ordering the murder of protesters during the January revolution. Mubarak, whose hospital bed was wheeled into a cage in the courtroom, has denied all charges.

His two sons, Gamal and Alaa, who are also on trial for corruption, denied the charges against them as well.

Mubarak could face a death penalty over the killing of at least 800 people during the 18-day Egyptian revolution.

The former Egyptian interior minister, Habib al-Adly, and six of his officials were also in the dock. Adly and his six deputies will again appear in court on Thursday.

However, Mubarak's former vice president and intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, is not facing any charges despite pubic calls for his trial.

Suleiman has been a leading figure in Egypt's intelligence system since 1986. In January in the midst of anti-regime protests, Mubarak appointed him as vice president.

During the Egyptian revolution, protesters held Suleiman responsible for brutal crackdown on demonstrations. They called him Mubarak's number-2 man and blamed him for his close ties with Israel.