Egypt's chief prosecutor has formally requested the death sentence for former president Hosni Mubarak and his fellow defendants.
Mr Mubarak, his two sons, the former interior minister and senior police officers face charges ranging from corruption to involvement in the deaths of around 850 protesters during the uprising that unseated him last February.
The trial heard today that Mr Mubarak is “politically and legally” responsible for the killing of protesters during the 18-day uprising that toppled his regime last year.
Chief prosecutor Mustafa Suleiman said the deposed dictator did nothing to stop the killings and that he was aware of them from meetings with aides, regional TV channels and reports by his security agencies.
He told the Cairo court that Mr Mubarak’s security chief and co-defendant, Habib el-Adly, authorised the use of live ammunition on orders from the former president.
Mr Mubarak and Mr el-Adly could face the death penalty if convicted of complicity in the killing of protesters.
Six police commanders are also on trial facing the same charges. Mr Mubarak’s sons, Alaa and Gamal, are charged with corruption in the same case.
AP