Egypt's Mubarak transferred to hospital after stroke

AFP - Egypt's ex-president Hosni Mubarak was transferred from prison to a military hospital on Tuesday after suffering a stroke and being defibrillated, state news agency MENA said.

"Former president Hosni Mubarak has been transferred from Tora prison to the armed forces hospital in Maadi," the agency said, adding that the ousted leader was admitted to intensive care.

The transfer came after Mubarak suffered a stroke without losing consciousness and was defibrillated in prison, prompting sources to say they expected he would be moved on Tuesday evening if his condition worsened.

The 84-year-old former strongman was sentenced to life behind bars on June 2 for suppressing a revolt against his rule in early 2011 during which nearly 850 protesters were killed.

His medical condition deteriorated after the verdict and he suffered an emotional breakdown after being moved to an intensive care wing in Cairo's Tora prison.

Doctors treated him with a defibrillator twice on June 11, according to a prison hospital source.

He has suffered from acute depression since his transfer, as well as periodic increases in blood pressure and shortness of breath, interior ministry officials said.

Mubarak's wife Suzanne and his two daughters-in-law were given special permission to visit him following rumours that he had died in prison.

His family has formally requested a transfer to a Cairo hospital but such a move could unleash the anger of activists and protesters.