Hosni Mubarak out of Prison.

A supporter of the former leader waves his poster as she awaits his release from the Tora Prison.

Ousted Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was on Thursday released from a Cairo prison, just a day after an Egyptian court ruled that he could no longer be incarcerated, injecting a volatile new element into the political crisis that has been roiling the country.

Egyptian state media said a helicopter carrying Mr. Mubarak took him from the Tora Prison to the Maadi Military Hospital for treatment because of his ailing health state. 

He was transferred exactly seven weeks after his Islamist successor, Mohamed Morsi, the country’s first democratically elected president, was deposed by the armed forces and detained indefinitely. 

A small crowd of supporters outside the Tora Prison cheered and waved Egyptian flags as the helicopter carrying Mubarak took off.

Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians rose up in January 2011 against the now-deposed dictator, who ruled Egypt for 29 years. Months later, Mubarak appeared in a courtroom behind bars in what was a stunning moment for the Arab world as many hoped to finally see justice.

Mubarak however still faces retrial for allegedly failing to prevent the killing of hundreds of protesters during the 18-day uprising against him. He also faces investigation into at least two other corruption cases.

An Egyptian appeals court on Wednesday ordered him released pending trial on a series of corruption and other charges, but the military regime stepped in, invoking its military powers and saying he would be held under house arrest upon his release.

The Maadi Military Hospital was his choice of residence, according to an official in the Ministry of Interior, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with the ministry’s policy.

The court ruling that led to Mubarak’s release — even if temporary — may spur more anger in a nation already troubled by widespread violence and unrest and deep political division.