Hundreds of Muslim Brotherhood Supporters Sentenced to Death in Egypt

Today almost 700 people, including the
leader of the banned Muslim Brotherhood, were sentenced to death.
The sentences were imposed for their alleged involvement in rioting
that took place in the Egyptian city of Minya last August,
resulting in the death of one policeman.

The judge who handed down today’s judgement also finalized the
death sentences of 37 of the
529 men sentenced to death last month for participating in the
same rioting. Those who did not have their sentences finalized had
their sentences commuted to life in prison.

Former President Mohamed Morsi, who was ousted by the
military-backed protests last July, is backed by the Muslim
Brotherhood and is himself
facing numerous charges such as espionage, murder, and
attempted murder.

The news of the latest mass death sentence verdict comes ahead
of presidential elections next month, which Gen. Abdel Fattah
al-Sisi is expected to win. Gen. Sisi backed protests against
Morsi’s rule.

CBS news notes how extraordinary the recent death sentences
are; even after President Muhammad Anwar al-Sadat was
assassinated only five people were sentenced to death and
executed.

The news of the latest sentences comes on the same day that a
court banned the secular April 6 Youth Movement, a decision the
BBC says
was made based on “a complaint that accused the group of
‘tarnishing the image’ of Egypt and colluding with foreign
parties.”

It was reported last week that despite all of the tensions and
unrest in Egypt the U.S. is still planning on sending the current
military-backed government in Egypt some
military and counterterrorism aid. Apache helicopters, meant
for counterterrorism operations in the Sinai peninsula, are among
the pieces of military equipment to be released to the
Egyptians.