An Egyptian court has postponed the trial of former Interior Minister Habib el-Adly so that it will coincide with the start of the trial of ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak.

The former interior minister and Mr. Mubarak face charges of killing protesters during the revolution that ousted the president in February.

The court has set their trials to begin on August 3.

An Egyptian court has already convicted el-Adly on corruption charges and sentenced him to 12 years in prison.

The former interior minister is despised by protesters who hold him responsible for police firing live ammunition at demonstrators during the uprising.

Demonstrators have urged Egypt's ruling military council to purge from the government all officials who served under former President Mubarak and to prosecute those linked to violence and corruption.