Egyptians protesting Mubarak verdict in Tahri
Egyptians protesting Mubarak verdict in TahriReuters

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, 84, suffered a heart attack Saturday upon his arrival at Tora Prison.

The incident occurred after he was told he was to spend the rest of his life at the prison, according to the head of Egypt's prison service.

Medical staff at the prison treated Mubarak and stabilized his condition. A security official was quoted as saying Mubarak refused to disembark from the helicopter that brought him to the prison and broke into tears upon his arrival, according to the Egyptian website al Misrawi.

The former president, who ruled Egypt for nearly 30 years, was sentenced to life in prison earlier Saturday for the killings of protesters during last year's “January 25 Revolution” that ended his reign.

Former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly also received a life sentence, although several key security officials were acquitted of the charges.

The verdicts sparked fury in the population, and tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square, scene of the Arab Spring uprising that toppled Mubarak from power. Protests were seen elsewhere around the country to protest the rulings as well. Demonstrations were held in Alexandria – Egypt's second-largest city – as well as in Suez, and in Mansoura.