Judge to rule on death sentences for 529 Muslim Brotherhood supporters

An Egyptian court will today pass final judgment on 529 Muslim Brotherhood supporters sentenced to death last month, in a case that has provoked outrage among western governments and rights groups.

The preliminary death sentences were issued on March 24th and relate to violence in which a policeman was killed in August in the southern province of Minya.

The United States and European Union said they were “appalled” at the ruling. The trial had only one session – a one-hour hearing in which lawyers for the defence were prevented from presenting arguments, and the prosecution offered no evidence, human rights groups say. The court will also issue verdicts on another 683 people accused of violence last year in Minya, including Mohamed Badie, the Muslim Brotherhood’s general guide, or top leader.

He is charged with crimes including inciting violence that followed the army overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi last July. The session could mark the first major verdict against any Brotherhood leader.

Hundreds of Brotherhood supporters and members of the security forces have been killed in political violence and thousands of Islamists and some secular dissidents jailed by authorities since the army toppled Mr Morsi. After imposing the preliminary death sentences on March 24th, Judge Saeed Yousef referred his ruling to the state mufti, Egypt’s highest religious authority. His non-binding opinion is always sought in cases of capital punishment. Were the death sentences to be upheld, the subsequent appeals process could result in lesser penalties. Most of those convicted are not in detention and were tried in absentia, with 147 in court.

Judicial sources said around 60 other Brotherhood supporters were sentenced yesterday for crimes linked to protests, such as obstructing traffic and using violence against the police. – (Reuters)