Pro-democracy demonstrator handed death penalty in Egypt 

An Egyptian court yesterday confirmed a death sentence handed to a man after he was found guilty of violence in a case relating to a protest against the 2013 military coup that ousted former President Mohamed Morsi, the Anadolu Agency reported citing two sources.

A judicial source told journalists that the Janayat Al-Tal Al-Kabir Criminal Court in the Ismailiya Province, sentenced Osama Gomaa, 32, to death on a charge of murdering a driver on 13 July 2013 following a quarrel between the two during a pro-Morsi protest.

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On 17 May, the same court had referred the defendant’s file to the Grand Mufti, the state’s top religious authority, indicating that it recommends the death penalty for the defendant. Yesterday, the court confirmed the decision.

The ruling may still be appealed in the Court of Cassation within 60 days.

The defendant’s lawyer, Nabil Abdel Salam, said that he will appeal the ruling, according to Anadolu.

The charges that the defendant is facing include “murdering a driver who objected to pro-Morsi chants during a protest supporting the latter”. The charges also include “joining an illegal group” in reference to the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. The defendant denies all charges.