Protesters scuffle as Mubarak trial resumes in Egypt

Riot police detain an anti-Mubarak demonstrator in front of the police academy where former Egyptian president Hosni Murbarak is on trial in Cairo September 5, 2011.  [Photo/Agencies]

CAIRO - Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's third appearance in court in the capital of Cairo has aroused clashes both in and outside the courtroom on Monday, state TV reported.

Shortly after the beginning of the trial near midday Monday, clashes erupted between Mubarak's lawyers and the civil plaintiffs, as one of the defending lawyers raised Mubarak's photo. Presiding Judge Ahmed Refaat ordered him to leave the court. The clash led to a break lasting more than one hour.

During the session, Mubarak was seen lying on a stretcher as he did in the previous two sessions. His two sons also appeared in court.

Before the trial, clashes broke out outside the Police Academy, the venue of the trial, Monday morning.

Some protestors threw stones at the security forces. Barriers set by police were pushed down by protestors, a Xinhua reporter witnessed.

At least ten people were injured due to the clashes, official MENA news agency reported. Four protestors were arrested.

The third session of Mubarak's trial is not broadcasted live, according to the order of the presiding judge.

The Egyptian Gazette newspaper reported earlier that four policemen would testify in court against Mubarak.

Mubarak first appeared in court on August 5 and then on August 15. During the first two sessions, the former Egyptian leader and his two sons denied all the charges against them, including murder and corruption.

Ten Kuwaiti lawyers had decided to defend Mubarak on Saturday to show their gratitude to Mubarak's support to Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion in 1990. Four of them were allowed to defend Mubarak, Egypt's state TV said.

There are in all about 1,700 volunteer lawyers defending Mubarak but only 50 of them would be allowed inside the courtroom.