Ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has arrived by helicopter at court to hear the verdict in a trial about his alleged role in the killing of hundreds of anti-government protesters during last year's uprising that forced him from power.

Hundreds of police Saturday surrounded the court, set up at a police academy on Cairo's outskirts.

The prosecutor has demanded that the 84-year-old former president receive the death penalty for murder.

Mr. Mubarak's co-defendants include his sons, Egypt's former interior minister, and senior police officers.

The former president's trial began in August of last year.

Photos of his court appearances have shown the former president lying on a gurney inside an iron-barred defendant's cage.

News about Mr. Mubarak's trial has been overshadowed by Egypt's presidential election process. After a first round of voting in May, Egyptians are to return to the polls June 16 and 17 to choose between the two top vote-getters: Islamist Mohammed Morsi and old-guard ally Ahmed Shafiq. Run-off results are expected to be announced June 21.