Cairo ( CNN ) -- Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak could be executed if he is convicted of ordering the killing of protesters , Egypt 's justice minister says . `` One of the charges he is facing is complicity in the killing of martyrs and issuing the orders for premeditated the killing of those people , '' said Justice Minister Mohamed Abdelaziz al-Juindy . `` This is a charge with a harsh punishment -- the death penalty . '' In his first television interview since taking office , the new justice minister said last week that Egyptian courts would not shy away from sentencing Mubarak to death if he is found guilty . `` If the crime is proven , then the court will not hesitate to issue the death sentence , '' he said . `` A judge may have mercy if there is a reason for that , but I do n't think in this case there is any argument for clemency whatsoever , '' the minister added , calling it `` a horrible crime , to kill 800 citizens who were asking for their rights and hoping to topple a corrupt regime that caused the ruin of Egypt . '' Mubarak resigned in the face of popular protests in February after more than 30 years in power . He has been in poor health and living in the southern Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh since then . Prosecutors last month shelved plans to move him to a military hospital in Cairo , saying Mubarak 's doctors said the transfer could be life-threatening . Adel Saeed , the prosecutor 's spokesman , said April 26 that the Interior Ministry made the decision after Mubarak 's medical team submitted a report that determined he would be at risk if he were moved . But Justice Minister al-Juindy said Mubarak 's health was `` good , '' according to reports he had received . Mubarak `` suffers some heart irregularities known as atrial fibrillation , but his pulse and pressure are fine . His heart rate is 65 per minute , which is considered like an athlete , '' the official said . `` Of course he 's facing questioning for the first time in his life , so this is affecting him psychologically , '' the minister added . He will be required to appear in court when the time comes , al-Juindy said . `` His appearance in court will be mandatory , '' he said . If Mubarak is too sick to appear , `` in this case , the prosecutor visits him , and this is a procedure we follow with any sick suspect . The suspect must be given a chance to put forward his defense , so that the trial can be fair . '' He is also being probed on allegations of corruption and misuse of state funds . `` There are reports that the former president 's wealth is in the billions , and indeed it is billions , '' the justice minister asserted . So far `` we ca n't ascertain the exact amount , but the investigation is underway , '' he said . Mubarak 's trial will show that the rule of law is supreme in the country , al-Juindy said . `` The law is respected in Egypt and is applied on everyone without any exception , '' he said . `` This is very important because Egypt now has become a country were the law is sovereign . ''
Egypt 's former president is accused of ordering protesters shot . The crime carries the death penalty , and courts will not hesitate to use it , Egypt 's justice minister says . Hosni Mubarak is in good health , the minister says . Mubarak was forced from office by protesters after more than 30 years in power .