Moscow, April 25 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Egypt's public prosecutor Sunday ordered the transfer of ailing ex-leader Hosni Mubarak to a prison hospital in the capital Cairo, ahead of questioning over corruption and abuse allegations.

"The public prosecutor has ordered the interior ministry to transfer former president Hosni Mubarak to Mazra'a hospital in Torah prison," the statement carried by the state news agency MENA said.

The 82-year-old is being investigated over the deaths of hundreds of protesters during the 18-day popular uprising that forced him from power in February.

He is also under scrutiny for alleged abuse of power during his 30-year rule, including gas exports to Israel at a low price in a secretive deal that cost Egypt $714 million.

Mubarak has been under detention in a hospital in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, where he has been treated for heart problems. The former leader has been held up in the city since his ouster.

His sons Alaa and Gamal have also been detained over allegations of corruption and the heavy-handed crackdown on protesters.

Human rights groups say about 800 people were killed during the protests that led to Mubarak's downfall.

Mubarak and his family have been banned from leaving the country. Their assets have been frozen.