Egypt’s military court handed eight defendants preliminary death sentences on Sunday after they were found guilty of planning attacks on Egyptian officials, including military and police personnel.
Their case has been referred to Egypt's Grand Mufti for further deliberation before the court issues its sentence.
Egyptian law requires that the defendants’ case be referred to the Mufti, a senior Muslim cleric, for a consultative review. His opinion is non-binding on the court.
The eight defendants were also found guilty of carrying out attacks, "as per instructions of the Muslim Brotherhood’s international organisation", which destroyed electricity and communication pylons.
The verdict can be appealed in front of the military court of cassation.
The court will issue its ruling for the rest of the defendants, 20 in total, in the next court session once it receives the Mufti’s opinion on the death sentences.
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