Egyptian Court Sentences 529 Supporters Of Former Leader To Death

An Egyptian court today in Cairo, sentenced to death 529 supporters of toppled president Mohammed Morsi after they were found guilty of charges ranging from rioting, attacking people and police facilities and even killing a police officer in Minya, a part of the country.

The case which is said to be the biggest trial in the modern history of Egypt paraded about 1,200 defendants from Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood group, which has been declared as a terrorist organisation by the new military backed government.

Morsi, who is Egypt’s first democratically elected president, was toppled by the army in July, 2013 after citizens protested against his one-year rule.

Hundreds of his supporters were killed in security crackdowns that followed his overthrow and thousands were detained, most of them who were sentenced to death today.  The judge has however said the defendants can appeal their sentences.

 A relative of a supporter of Mohamed Morsi cries outside the courthouse today in the central Egyptian city of Minya, after the court ordered the execution of 529 Morsi supporters (AFP)

More relatives crying outside the court house after the death sentence 

Another relative of a supporter of ousted Islamist president Morsi is supported as he faints outside the courthouse after the judgement