Egypt sentences 529 Muslim Brotherhood members to death

Al-Minya Criminal Court issued a verdict Monday sentencing 529 Muslim Brotherhood members and Mohamed Morsi supporters to death, including MB General Guide Mohamed Badie and Freedom and Justice Party President Saad Al-Katatni. 16 other defendants have been acquitted.

The decision is pending the approval of the Mufti of Egypt. The final ruling will be announced on 28 April, 2014.

The session has been held in the absence of defendants and lawyers, according to Tarek Fouda, the Lawyers’ Syndicate representative in Al-Minya.

The 545 defendants, of which 397 have been tried in absentia, are facing charges of storming police headquarters in Samalot and Matay neighborhoods in Al-Minya governorate during violent clashes in the aftermath of the Rabia Al-Adaweya massacre last August 14.