Egypt sentences 418 coup opponents to jail

An Egyptian military court yesterday sentenced 418 opponents to prison terms ranging from two years to life in prison for their alleged involvement in violence at a police station in August 2013, a legal source said.

A member of the defence team, Khaled Al-Komi, said: “The military court in Asyut sentenced 249 defendants in absentia to life in prison and three defendants to three years in prison and 47 others to 10 years in prison for storming a police station in Minya in 2013.”

“The same court also sentenced 101 defendants in absentia to life in prison and sentenced 18 others to 10 years in prison for storming and burning a governmental communication centre in Dermowas station,” he added.

The verdict can be appealed.

Al-Komi explained that the defendants were also accused of “belonging to a banned group”, in reference to the Muslim Brotherhood.