Egypt’s former president Hosni Mubarak has been sentenced to life in prison, after being found guilty of complicity in the deaths of anti-government protesters during the uprisings in the country in 2011.

Around 850 people died in Egypt during the uprising that led to the end of his 30-year rule. In receiving the lengthy sentence following the 10-month trial, the ailing 84-year-old ex-leader has in effect received the death penalty that he avoided through the court’s decision. He heard the verdict as he lay in a hospital gurney in the courtroom.

Also found guilty during the same trial was former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly. He also received a life sentence.

Mubarak, along with his sons Gamal and Alaa, was acquitted of charges of corruption. However, his sons remain incarcerated, as they additionally face a trial on charges of stock market manipulation.

During his trial, Mubarak was held at a military hospital. Immediately following the verdict, he was transferred to Tora prison hospital.

The verdict came as Egypt prepares for the second round of its elections, with voting between Ahmed Shafiq - prime minister during Mubarak’s final days - and Mohammed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood’s candidate. Egyptians living outside the country voted this weekend, with residents in the country voting in mid-June.