Egypt: Former president Mubarak's health 'critical' in jail

Cairo, 11 June (AKI) - Egypt's ex-president Hosni Mubarak has been slipping in and out of consciousness for over a week since he was transferred to a Cairo prison to serve a life sentence for failing to prevent the killing of protesters during the revolt that ousted him in 2011.

"The former president's health is in decline, but now it's stable in its deteriorated state," said an unnamed security official cited by media.

Mubarak is surving on liquids and yogurt, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The state news agency Mena cited doctors as saying 84-year-old Mubarak was at risk of a stroke and has been suffering an irregular heartbeat and required assistance in breathing since a visit on Sunday by his wife Suzanne in the intensive care unit at Cairo's Torah prison hospital.

Mubarak's health has been deteriorating since he was transferred to Torah prison hospital following his conviction on 2 June, but authorities have turned down several requests by Mubarak's family to transfer him to a military facility, the official said.

Suzanne Mubarak told prison wardens: "You will be responsible for his death," daily al-Masry al-Youm reported quoting security officials.

Prior to his conviction, Mubarak was held at a military hospital and other facilities since his arrest in April last year.

Mubarak's two sons Alaa and Gamal are also in detention. They were acquitted on 2 June of corruption charges, but still face separate charges of insider trading.