Egypt sentences 196 to life

An Egyptian military court on Saturday issued life terms to 196 supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi.

A military court in the southern governorate of Asyut sentenced 196 pro-Morsi defendants in absentia over charges of storming and burning the Administrative Prosecution building and breaking into a police station in Dalga, in the province of Minya.

The court also issued strict prison sentences that ranged between 10-15 years against a group of Morsi supporters, including the director of the Muslim Brotherhood’s administrative office in the Minya province, Mamdouh Mabrouk, who was sentenced to 15 years in absentia.

Twenty-two defendants were present for the trial and were fined 20,000 Egyptian pounds ($2,553).