CAIRO - Prosecutors have called for Hosni Mubarak to be hanged, saying he bears full responsibility for the killing of protesters during the uprising against him, in a courtroom moment unthinkable only a year ago when Egypt's longtime leader held unquestioned power.

The demand for the death penalty at the 83-year-old former president's trial played to the widespread resentment of Mubarak among Egyptians.

A conviction would be followed by a possibly lengthy appeals process that the ailing Mubarak's lawyer would likely draw out, and Egypt's new rulers - the military - have the power to veto a death sentence.

Mubarak has been brought to every hearing since his trial began on Aug 3 on a hospital gurney, wheeled into the courtroom cage where defendants are held, alongside his two sons, former security chief and six top police commanders.

On Thursday, prosecutor Mustafa Khater gave a passionate speech demanding the death penalty for Mubarak, former interior minister Habib el-Adly and four of the police commanders. They are charged with complicity in the deaths of some 800 protesters during the 18-day uprising that led to Mubarak's fall on Feb 11.

Lengthy waiting

Many Egyptians hope the trial will heal some of the scars of Mubarak's rule and help the country find stability after nearly a year of political turmoil under the military generals who replaced him in power.

But the multitude of witnesses, complexity of charges and the prosecution's difficulty in obtaining evidence from the security services might make it easier for the defense lawyers to push for a lighter sentence for Mubarak and his co-defendants.

"The prosecution demands the maximum penalty against Mubarak and the rest of the accused, which is death by hanging," Khater, also a member of the prosecution team, told the court. "The killing of one person calls for a death penalty so what would the court say in a case where hundreds have been killed."

Khater was referring to those defendants who are accused of involvement in the death of protesters. Mubarak's sons are facing charges related to corruption and other abuses, which do not carry a possible death sentence. Khater's speech prompted cheers and claps from some lawyers.

Strong evidence

Earlier on Wednesday, Egyptian prosecutors said that strong evidence supported the charges of murdering protesters against Mubarak and some former government officials.

The general prosecution confirmed that conclusive evidence supported all charges against Mubarak, Habib el-Adly and Adly's six aides over the killing of demonstrators during the unrest in January 2011, in ways of participation, incitement and assistance, prosecutor Mustafa Suleiman said.

Investigation results showed these crimes could not have been committed had there not been direct incitement from the defendants, he said.

Mustafa said the prosecution had strong evidence, including witnesses' testimonies and forensic reports, to confirm the targeting of demonstrators.