Egypt court sentences 26 people to death

Correspondent | Wednesday February 26, 2014 14:41

 

Judges said the men were also accused of manufacturing missiles and explosives, local media report.

The defendants were tried in absentia, Reuters news agency says.

The sentencing comes a day after the new Prime Minister designate, Ibrahim Mahlab, vowed he would 'crush terrorism in all the corners of the country'.

Mr Mahlab has been put in charge of forming a new government following Monday's surprise resignation of interim Prime Minister Hazem Beblawi and his cabinet.

Mr Beblawi was appointed in July 2013 after the military overthrew President Mohammed Morsi in the wake of mass protests.

Since then, more than 1,000 people have been killed and thousands of others detained in a crackdown by the security forces on the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist movement to which Mr Morsi belongs.

Militants based in the Sinai peninsula have meanwhile stepped up attacks on government, police and the armed forces, killing hundreds.

In Wednesday's verdict, the court said the accused had harmed 'national unity', inciting violence against the army, police, and Christians.

The case will now be referred to the mufti, Egypt's top Islamic official, who has to validate the sentence.

The final verdict is expected on 19 March.

No further details were available about the group on trial, AFP reported.

(BBC)