Egypt court sentences Brotherhood leader, 36 Islamists to life

CAIRO

Mohamed Badie (C), leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, and Mohamed Morsi (2nd L) speak at a news conference in Cairo in this November 30, 2010 file photo. REUTERS Photo

An Egyptian court sentenced Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie to life in prison on July 5 for inciting the violence that erupted after the army deposed Islamist President Mohamed Mursi last year.

Badie, convicted along with some 36 other Brotherhood leaders and supporters for the same crime, is facing the death sentence in two separate cases.

The court also upheld death sentences for 10 other Brotherhood supporters.

Badie had already received death sentences in two other cases in a crackdown on Islamist opposition after last year’s military ouster of Mursi.

Egyptian courts have sparked international concern over a spate of death sentences for more than 200 people in several mass trials.

On July 5, presiding Judge Hassan Farid said the defendants were involved in violence and murder during protests last July after the army overthrew Mursi, who belonged to the Brotherhood.

He said the defendants had committed the violence "to achieve terrorist goals."

The Brotherhood has been designated as a terrorist movement, with much of its leadership imprisoned, including the former president.