Brotherhood 10 get death sentence

AN Egyptian court yesterday postponed to July 5 the verdict in the trial of Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie and 37 others for inciting violence that killed two people last year.

But it sentenced to death 10 defendants who are on the run.

After the army ousted Mohamed Morsi in July last year, Badie was one of thousands of the deposed president’s supporters arrested in a crackdown that also left more than 1 400 dead.

He is being tried in nearly 40 cases, all of which potentially carry the death penalty, and has already been sentenced to death in one case. In April, a court in the city of Minya sentenced him and nearly 700 alleged Morsi supporters to hang over the murder and attempted murder of policemen.

A final ruling in those sentences is expected on June 21.

Death sentences in Egypt are referred to the country’s top Islamic scholar for an advisory opinion before being ratified. A court may choose to commute the sentences, which can later be challenged in an appeals court.

The 38 defendants in custody, including Badie, chanted antimilitary slogans as soon as they entered the dock yesterday.

Defence lawyer Ali Kamal said the death sentences “were expected, given the general climate that [encourages] abuses against the defendants”.— AFP