Mubarak hospitalised during questioning: state TV

Mubarak was sent into an intensive care unit in the Sharm el-Sheikh international hospital in the Red Sea resort. His wife Suzanne and two sons Alaa and Gamal were accompanying him in the hospital, said the report.

Mubarak, 82, has been living in his villa at Sharm el-Sheikh since he stepped down and handed power to the military last month following an 18-day popular uprising against his government.

Egyptian Minister of Justice Mohamed Abdel Aziz el-Gendy said Tuesday that the public prosecution has started its investigation with Mubarak and his younger son Gamal in Sharm el-Sheikh, adding the investigation was an execution to the general prosecutor's decision to summon Mubarak on accusation of using power against protesters and misusing public funds to get commissions and deals.

On Sunday, Egyptian General Prosecutor Abdel-Meguid Mahmoud issued a summon to question Mubarak and his two sons over accusations about corruption and use of violence against protesters during the anti-government demonstrations.

Mubarak refused to eat or drink after learning Tuesday morning that he was to be questioned for investigations, Medical sources were quoted as saying.

He will be moved to a military hospital in Cairo, where he will undergo further investigation, the state-run al-Ahram newspaper reported on its website.

Mubarak, has suffered from health problems in recent years and went to Germany for gall bladder surgery in March 2010.

He was compelled to end his nearly 30-year rule after the 18-day nationwide demonstrations. He handed over the power to the military Feb. 11 and has reportedly been living in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh under military guard.

Mubarak defended himself and his family and denied the accusations in a recorded audio speech aired by pan-Arab Al- Arabiya TV Sunday.

Corruption allegations against Mubarak and his aides were one of the major causes of the protests, in addition to high unemployment rate and rising food prices in the country.

At least 384 people died and thousands were injured in the protests which began  Jan. 25, according to the figures of the Health Ministry.

Youth groups and activists in Egypt have been calling for trial of Mubarak and his aides. They organised a mass protest Friday in central Cairo's Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the previous protests, to press the ruling military supreme council to try the former president immediately.