• 12:52
  • Wednesday ,01 October 2014
العربية

Egypt court sentences 63 pro-Morsi supporters to 15-years in prison

By-Ahram

Copts and Poliltical Islam

05:10

Wednesday ,01 October 2014

Egypt court sentences 63 pro-Morsi supporters to 15-years in prison

Cairo Criminal Court sentenced on Tuesday 63 pro-Morsi supporters to 15 years in prison for charges related to protests on the 40th anniversary of the 6 October war.Cairo Criminal Court sentenced on Tuesday 63 pro-Morsi supporters to 15 years in prison for charges related to protests on the 40th anniversary of the 6 October war.

Five others were sentenced to 10 years in prison and a fine of LE10,000 on the same charges.
 
The defendants were charged with murder, attempted murder, and rioting with the purpose of disrupting the rule of law. They were also charged with attempting to break into Tahrir Square and attack citizens there, as well as the destruction of public and private property.
 
Deadly clashes erupted in Cairo on the 40th anniversary of the 1973 war against Israel. Pro-Morsi protesters marched against the military en route to Tahrir Square, where thousands were already celebrating the occasion and voicing support for the army.
 
The death toll reached 57 nationwide with at least 268 injured.
 
Ever since the ouster of president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 and classification of the Muslim Brotherhood, as a terrorist organisation in December, his supporters have faced an intensive crackdown.
 
Morsi himself and leading figures in the Muslim Brotherhood are currently in jail, on charges that include espionage.
 
Egypt's current President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi led the ouster of Morsi following three days of mass protests against his rule.