There were chaotic scenes at a court in Cairo when the charges were read out at the start of the trial of former Egyptian interior minister Habib Al-Adly.
General Adly and six former aides are charged in relaltion to the parts they allegedly played in the killing of hundreds of demonstrators during the uprising that ousted the country's president, Hosni Mubarak, earlier this year.
Relatives of the victims have demanded that the court gives them all the maximum sentences.
The hearing has been adjourned until next month.
Nearly 850 civilians were killed during the 18-day popular uprising.
Most were shot in the head and chest.
General Adly could face the death penalty if convicted. Like his former aides, he pleaded not guilty.
