The 83-year-old former president and his interior minister, Habib El Adly, face possible death sentences if convicted of unleashing police on the demonstrations that drove them from office in February. Six of El Adly's assistants face trial on the same charges, Justice Minister Mohamed Abdel Aziz Al Guindy announced Thursday.

Mubarak has denied the charges. The human rights group Amnesty International has estimated that at least 840 people were killed and more than 6,000 wounded during the three-week uprising that toppled Mubarak. A police officer accused of indiscriminately shooting protesters has already been sentenced to death in absentia.

In addition, Mubarak, his sons Gamal and Alaa, and a business associate face trial on corruption charges. The trial will be open to the public under heavy security and carried on Egyptian state television, Al Guindy said.

All 11 defendants will appear in court in a cage that is being installed in the hall, he said. Metal detectors will screen those attending, and the minister said Egyptian troops and police will patrol the area surrounding the convention centre, located in the eastern district of Madinet Nasr.

The trial is set to open on the third day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.