Egypt: 529 Muslim Brotherhood Members Sentenced to Death

An Egyptian court has sentenced 529 members of the Muslim Brotherhood to death.

The court in Minya, south of Egypt's capital Cairo, issued its ruling after only two sessions, during which the defendants' lawyers reportedly complained they had no chance to present their case. The ruling can be appealed.

The defendants are part of a group of 545 people on trial for the killing of a police officer, attacking a police station and other acts of violence.

The alleged attacks are said to have taken place in southern Egypt in August, after security forces broke up two camps of Brotherhood supporters demanding the reinstatement of Mohamed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood leader who was overthrown as president last summer.

The Brotherhood was declared a terrorist organisation when the army took control of the country in July, in the coup which removed Morsi.

The former president is now standing trial to face allegations that he conspired with the Palestinian militant group Hamas and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah to "smuggle arms, organise military training for group members, and to stir chaos and threaten national security".

Morsi also faces charges for ordering the death of protesters who demanded new elections in December 2012.

The protesters had gathered outside the presidential palace calling for Morsi's removal. The Brotherhood's leaders called on members to rally to his defence.

Morsi's ousting has led to some of the worst violence ever seen in Egypt. Thousands of people have died in violence since his overthrow.

In a two-day referendum held in January, Egyptians voted to adopt a new constitution which will lead to new democratic elections.

General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the army chief who backed Morsi's removal, is likely to run for the presidency.