Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak has been exaggerating the extent of his medical problems during recent court appearances, where he has been charged with killing hundreds of protesters during an uprising that ousted him from power, RIA Novosti reported.

"He sits in his chair and watches television, walks around with relatives and talks on the telephone," a source in the Cairo hospital, where the man who led Egypt for almost 30 years is detained, told Egyptian media outlets.

The 84-year-old Mubarak has been lying almost motionless on a stretcher during his trial, dark glasses covering his eyes.

Recent reports have said his health is deteriorating fast and there have been rumours of his brief clinical death. Doctors have however dismissed such rumours.

Parliamentarians have been attempting to have Mubarak transferred from hospital to a prison ward.

The verdict and sentencing for Mubarak, who has pleaded not guilty, are due June 2.

A guilty verdict could see him face the death sentence. Analysts say a not guilty verdict could spark more violence in Egypt.

Mubarak was overthrown in February 2011 after an 18-day uprising. Over 800 people were killed during the revolution, many of them protesters shot dead by security forces.




PNA