An Egyptian criminal court sentenced four people to death on Sunday for their involvement in establishing a terrorist cell in Giza's Osim district.

The court also sentenced 12 defendants to life imprisonment and 14 others to 15-year jail sentences for their involvement in the terror cell.

The convicted were first tried in 2014 in what has become known in the media as the "Osim terrorist cell" case.

Sunday's death sentences come following a previous court order last January to refer the four defendants the country's Grand Mufti, whose opinion is legally required in death penalty cases, although it is not binding.

The sentences are not final, and can still be appealed by the defendants.

The case dates back to 2014, when the prosecution referred the defendants to criminal court over charges of forming a terrorist cell with aims to disrupt the constitution and law, attack public and private property, threaten judges using violence and incite illegal protests without a permit.