An Egyptian court sentenced at least 528 members of the Muslim Brotherhood to death on Monday, March 24th 2014 for charges related to violent riots in the southern Egyptian city of Minya last August. The charges include the murder of a police officer, said the country’s official news agency.
The riots took place after a deadly crackdown by security forces on two large sit-ins in Cairo, where demonstrators were supporting ousted President Mohammed Morsy.
Official MENA news agency reported 528 death sentences but other Egyptian media reports 529 people being sentenced to death.
According to the semiofficial Ahram Online news site, it was the largest set of death sentences handed to defendants in the modern history of Egypt.
Not all of the defendants are in custody, said EgyNews. The defendants can appeal their sentences.
The court also acquitted at least 16 other defendants.
