Egypt sentences 11 to death over attacks on police

CAIRO – An Egyptian criminal court has confirmed death sentences for 11 men and handed down life sentences to 14 others over charges including attempted murder of policemen.

The court ruling Sunday by Judge Mohammed Nagy Shehata — known for his severity — can be appealed. Five of those sentenced to death were tried in absentia.

The suspects were referred to court in 2015, more than a year after the military ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. Authorities later banned Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood group and thousands of its members were referred to courts over numerous charges.

The verdict comes a day after a lethal attack on policemen southwest of Cairo. The Interior Ministry said 16 policemen were killed while other officials put the death toll at 54.