Cairo (CNN) -- An ailing Hosni Mubarak -- once a symbol of autocratic rule in Egypt -- was wheeled into a Cairo courtroom cage in a hospital bed Wednesday to face trial for allegedly ordering the killing of protesters calling for his ouster.
The trial, however, was adjourned until August 15, when the former dictator will return to court.
Dressed in a white prison uniform, Mubarak was placed in a mesh and iron cage, a standard procedure in Egyptian criminal trials. As the trial commenced, he peeked between the bars.
Other defendants, including his former interior minister and Mubarak's two sons, Gamal and Alaa, stood next to him in the cage at the corner of the crowded courtroom. His sons occasionally leaned over to talk to him.
The trial marks a milestone for the Arab uprisings sweeping the region. Mubarak is the first Arab autocrat to face a judge. Tunisian President Zine al-Abedine Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia soon after his ouster and was tried in absentia.
Mubarak, 83, faces the death penalty if found guilty of corruption and ordering the killing of protesters. He pleaded not guilty Wednesday.
The former leader arrived in Cairo after a short trip from his hospital in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh aboard a medically-equipped military aircraft. A white helicopter took him to the police academy on the outskirts of Cairo, where the proceedings were held.
Mubarak on trial in Cairo Mubarak set to face trial
I came here to watch this historic moment with other people. This has never happened before in Egypt
Opponents and supporters gathered at dawn to await the trial of the strongman, who ruled Egypt for three decades with an iron fist.
As soon as he arrived at the police academy, the crowd went wild as the helicopter hovered. Some darted in its direction and clapped.
"Thirty years of corruption, at least we can see justice is taking place," said a woman outside the police academy who did not want to be named.
"I don't know how Mubarak sleeps, when he was responsible for 80 million people and he did not do his job."
In a sign of the nation's division over the trial, hundreds of opponents and supporters outside the venue waved flags and photos of Mubarak. They stood riveted to a big screen broadcasting the trial outside the venue.
Gunfire erupted as supporters and opponents chased one another, hurling rocks and bottles. Several people were carried away in ambulances.
"How is the army letting this happen? Where is the unprecedented security they promised?" said Nevein Rashed as she ducked behind a van.
When the brief clashes subsided, riot police stood watch as dozens of Mubarak supporters chanted. They wore T-shirts that read: "I am Egyptian, I will not insult my president."
"Mubarak is a symbol of Egypt," said Entessar Ahmed, 14, who was outside the police academy. "If there were 30 years of corruption during his time, then every Egyptian should be sentenced because they let it happen."
Others welcomed the former leader's trial, but don't think anything will come of it.
"I believe that he will not be sent to jail. He will find a way to leave the country in one month," said Basma Nasr, 20. "I don't expect any verdict. I came here to watch this historic moment with other people. This has never happened before in Egypt."
Amnesty International estimated that 840 people died and more than 6,000 were wounded in the three-week uprising that toppled Mubarak.
A police officer accused of indiscriminately shooting protesters has been sentenced to death in absentia.
The former president, his interior minister, Habib El Adly, and six of the latter's assistants face trial on the same charges.
A popular revolt forced Mubarak to step down February 11, leaving the nation under the control of a military council.
He has been hospitalized since suffering heart palpitations in April, but the nation's health officials declared last month that he is "fit to stand trial, given a proper transportation arrangement."
Former Cabinet minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer told Israeli Radio Wednesday that he had offered Mubarak refuge in the southern Israeli city of Eilat.
"Mubarak is a patriot and therefore turned down the offer," Ben Eliezer said.
Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Arab language news network Al-Arabiya that he respected Mubarak and hopes Egypt's next government maintains its commitment to peace with his country.
"He held peace between Israel and Egypt for over 30 years, and that's a great achievement, and I think it should not be forgotten," Netanyahu said.


COMMENT:
I don't know how Mubarak sleeps, when he was responsible for 80 million people and he did not do his job.
This Dude is Crazy!!!!