Egypt court sentences 75 to death in 2013 sit-in case
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Egypt's state-run media says a court has sentenced 75 people to death, including top figures of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group, for their involvement in a 2013 sit-in.
Saturday's decision in Cairo Criminal Court will now be referred to the Grand Mufti — the country's top theological authority — for his non-binding opinion on the sentences. He usually approves the court's decision.
Sentencing for more than 660 others was set for Sept. 8, according to state-run Al-Ahram news website.
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The case involves 739 defendants, including the Muslim Brotherhood's Supreme Guide Mohammed Badie and photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid. Charges range from murder to damaging public property.
The 2013 sit-in supported former Islamist President Mohammed Morsi who was militarily ousted following mass protests against his divisive one-year rule. Morsi hailed from the Brotherhood. The sit-in was violently dispersed.