Egypt has resumed the trial of former president Hosni Mubarak, who earlier this month pleaded not guilty to charges that he ordered the killing of 850 protesters during the uprising that drove him from power.

Mr. Mubarak on Monday appeared in the courtroom in Cairo lying on a hospital bed, just as he did during the dramatic opening session on August 3. The 83-year-old former president is also facing charges of corruption and abuse of power, and could face the death penalty if convicted.

His sons Alaa and Gamal, who are co-defendants in the case, stood next to Mr. Mubarak inside the courtroom's large metal cage. Both men have denied separate corruption charges against them.

There were clashes outside the building between supporters and opponents of Mr. Mubarak, with each side throwing rocks at the other.

Mr. Mubarak arrived in a helicopter from a Cairo hospital where he has been held since the trial's first session. Prior to that he was living under house arrest at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. His aides say he has been in poor health since he left office following the 18-day February uprising against his rule.

Lawyers for Mr. Mubarak have requested that the head of the military council now ruling Egypt, a former intelligence chief, and 1,600 others testify during the trial.

Mr. Mubarak is the first Arab leader to face trial in person since the so-called “Arab Spring” of popular revolts swept across much of North Africa and the Middle East this year.

A separate trial for Egypt's former interior minister and six deputies accused of giving orders that led to the killing of protesters resumed Sunday, but a judge abruptly ended the session citing “commotion” in the courtroom.

The judge adjourned that trial until September 5 after encountering multiple demands from lawyers for the plaintiffs.