Cairo: Several Egyptian lawmakers, compiling a report about the possible transfer of former president Hosni Mubarak to a high-security prison, had received death threats from unknown persons believed to be his loyalists, MP Hassan Al Brince said on Saturday.
He added, in remarks published by the semi-official newspaper Al Ahram, that members of the parliament's Health committee tasked with inspecting a hospital in the Turah Prison near Cairo had been threatened by anonymous callers that they would be killed if they recommended Mubarak's transfer to the hospital.
"These threats have made us more determined than before to complete the steps necessary for having him transferred to the hospital prison," said Al Brince, the committee's undersecretary.
Mubarak, 83, has been staying under detention at a luxury army medical centre outside the Egyptian capital since last August, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition.
Earlier this month, Speaker of the parliament Saad al-Katatni said the Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim had agreed to the proposal of moving Mubarak to the prison hospital.
Mubarak is being tried on charges of involvement in the killing of hundreds of protesters against his rule and power abuse.
A criminal court is expected to set a date for announcing the verdict on Wednesday.
