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Egypt Sentences 75 Brotherhood Members to Death Over 2013 Demonstration

The 2013 sit-in supported former Islamist President Mohammed Morsi who was militarily ousted following mass protests against his divisive one-year rule. — AP

The case involves 739 defendants, including the Muslim Brotherhood’s Supreme Guide Mohammed Badie and photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid.

CAIRO — Egypt’s state-run media says a court has sentenced 75 people to death, including top figures of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group, for their involvement in a 2013 sit-in.

Saturday’s decision in Cairo Criminal Court will now be referred to the Grand Mufti — the country’s top theological authority — for his non-binding opinion on the sentences. He usually approves the court’s decision.

Sentencing for more than 660 others was set for Sept. 8, according to the state-run Al-Ahram news website.

The case involves 739 defendants, including the Muslim Brotherhood’s Supreme Guide Mohammed Badie and photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid. Charges range from murder to damaging public property.

The 2013 sit-in supported former Islamist President Mohammed Morsi who was militarily ousted following mass protests against his divisive one-year rule. Morsi hailed from the Brotherhood. The sit-in was violently dispersed.

Many Muslim Brotherhood supporters were slapped with charges relating to terrorism and put in prison.

International human rights groups have slammed the mass trial. Amnesty International (AI) called it a “grotesque parody of justice” and said the government should drop all charges against those arrested for protesting peacefully.

AI noted that Shawkan, 30, was covering the anti-government protest in Rabaa Al-Adawiya Square when he was arrested.

The government accused him of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and charged him with 24 crimes. He denies the allegations. Amnesty said the prosecution “has not presented any evidence that he was guilty of murder or any other violence.” — Agencies

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