Mubarak's release from prison ordered

An Egyptian court has ordered a prison in Cairo to release ex-president Hosni Mubarak, against whom the last of his corruption cases have been disposed of.

Mubarak will be transferred by military helicopter to his home arrest for security reasons, Xinhua reported citing Egypt's official news agency, which in turn quoted a security source.

According to some local media, Mubarak will be sent to Maady Military Hospital in Cairo after leaving prison.

On Wednesday, the court accepted Mubarak's petition over the corruption case of Ahram institution, and his lawyer paid 18.3 million Egyptian pounds (about $2.61 million)- the value of gifts which Mubarak and his two sons accepted via his information minister.

Then the court referred the case to the prosecution as the sole authority to determine Mubarak's release unless charged with other corruption cases.

In light of the state of emergency in the country, Interim Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawi, the deputy military ruler, ordered that Mubarak be placed under home arrest to avoid more complicity in the politically divided country.

Mubarak is still banned from travelling abroad as he still faces a retrial on charges of involvement in the killing of protesters during the 2011 unrest that eventually toppled him.

The next hearing is slated for Saturday.