Egypt overturns life sentence against Morsi

Egypt’s Court of Cassation today overturned a life sentence against deposed President Mohamed Morsi and ordered a retrial in the case that revolves around accusations of espionage with Hamas.

Last week, the court overturned a death sentence against Morsi in a separate case, meaning he no longer faces execution.

Democratically elected after the 2011 uprising, Morsi was overthrown in mid-2013 by Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi following mass protests against his rule and was immediately arrested.

He remains in jail on a number of convictions.

Morsi was one of 22 high-ranking Muslim Brotherhood officials and supporters convicted last year of spying for Hamas.

The Court of Cassation’s ruling overturns all convictions in the case including life sentences against Mohammed Badie, the General Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, and 15 others.

Senior Brotherhood officials Kheirat Al-Shater and Mohamed Al-Beltagi as well as Morsi aide Ahmed Abdelatti had originally been sentenced to death in the case and also saw their convictions dropped today.