Egypt's prosecutor general has ordered the detention of former president Hosni Mubarak, pending a wide-ranging investigation that includes allegations of corruption, squandering of public funds and abuse of authority for personal gain.

According to a statement posted on the prosecutor general's Facebook page Wednesday, the order will remain in effect for 15 days, as the corruption probe continues.

Mubarak's two sons, Alaa and Gamal, have also been taken into custody and transferred to the Torah prison near Cairo where other detained former regime members including the former prime minister, ruling party chief and Mubarak's chief of staff are already being held.

The 82-year-old ex-president, however, is in a hospital in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm-el-Sheikh where he has been living since he stepped down amid overwhelming public protest in February.

Mubarak, who has a history of health problems including gallbladder surgery last March, was admitted to hospital late Tuesday for treatment of heart problems. He reportedly walked into Sharm el-Sheikh's main hospital unaided, and was subsequently interviewed by Justice Ministry officials in his presidential suite.

Meanwhile, a crowd of protesters gathered outside the hospital overnight, demanding that the former president's sons be arrested.

They erupted in cheers when the head of provincial security in the South Sinai emerged in the early hours of Wednesday to announce that both Gamal and Alaa would be detained.

"Brothers, whatever you wanted, you have got ... 15 days," Maj. Gen. Mohammed el-Khatib told the approximately 2,000 people assembled outside the hospital.

The Associated Press reports that when a police van eventually drove the brothers away for questioning, the crowd jeered and pelted the vehicle with water bottles, stones and footwear.

Later Wednesday, the AP reports Mubarak will also be transferred to the Cairo area, although he will be taken to the International Medical Centre where he will remain for the balance of his detention.

Since Mubarak stood down on February 11, protesters have staged regular protests demanding he stand trial for the mishandling of public monies during his 30 year rule, as well as the deaths of protesters during the 18-day uprising that led to his ouster.

At least 360 people were reported killed during crackdowns on the popular protests, although rights groups claim the actual number is much higher.

Mubarak had been silent since he stood down, until he released a statement on Sunday in which he vowed to restore his family's shattered reputation.

Shortly after Mubarak issued his pre-recorded message, Egypt's prosecutor called on the former president to appear for questioning.

In light of Mubarak's detention, the coalition of youth groups that had been planning a demonstration in Tahrir Square on Friday to demand Mubarak's prosecution canceled their rally.

With files from The Associated Press