Ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi told the presiding judge on Monday that "what is currently happening is only a political cover for a military coup," referring to his ongoing trial, said an Aswat Masriya eyewitness.

"I, the president of Egypt, Mohamed Mursi, am brought to this place involuntarily and because of a military coup," he said in the first session of his trial.

"I am the legitimate president of Egypt. The court is liable for not allowing the president to leave this place and practice his constitutional and legal responsibilities."

Mursi was ousted on July 3 by the military following mass protests against his rule. He is now being tried on charges of inciting violence during the Ittihadiya palace clashes, which took place in December, killing at least 11 people.

The deposed president, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood, stands trial along with 14 other top leaders of the Islamist group, including Mohamed al-Beltagi and Essam al-Erian.