Egypt sentences former president Mursi to death

CAIRO: An Egyptian court has sentenced ousted President Muhammad Mursi and more than 100 other defendants to death over jail breaks during the 2011 uprising. Mursi, sitting in a caged dock in the blue uniform of convicts having already been sentenced to 20 years for inciting violence, raised his fists in defiance when the judge read out his verdict. Among the others sentenced to death were Mohamed Badei, the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood who had already been handed the death penalty in another trial, and his deputy Khairat Al-Shater. Mursi had ruled for only a year before mass protests prompted the military to overthrow him in July 2013. He and dozens of other leaders were then detained amid a crackdown that left hundreds of his supporters dead. Many of those sentenced on Saturday were tried in absentia, including prominent Yusuf Al-Qaradawi. Under Egyptian law, death sentences are passed on to the mufti, who plays an advisory role. The defendants can appeal even after the mufti's recommendation. The court will pronounce its final decision on June 2. AFP