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On Wednesday, an Egyptian court handed out jail sentences for over 120 supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi related to clashes last year with authorities which left dozens dead, officials said. The trial was a part of an unrelenting crackdown on Morsi supporters going on since the army ousted him last July.
According to judicial officials, the defendants were sentenced for clashes with security forces and civilians in the district of Dokki in central Cairo on October 6, which left over 24 people dead and 90 people injured. More than 50 people died on that day, as nationwide violence in Egypt marked the anniversary of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. The officials added that six other were acquitted and that the defendants could challenge the verdict.
Ever since Morsi was ousted, his supporters have conducted protests almost every day, calling for his reinstatement. Their rallies often descended into clashes on the streets with civilian opponents and security forces. A court in the city of Assiut handed out five-year jail terms for 3 people three-year jail terms for 15 people for their roles in the rioting and violence on August 14 which saw hundreds die, when security forces broke up Islamist sit-ins in Cairo.
On Tuesday, 24 al-Azhar Islamic University students received five-year jail terms for protesting against a constitutional referendum in January; a minor involved was handed over to a juvenile court. The lead-in to the referendum saw the arrest of several activists who campaigned against the charter.
Last month, 529 Morsi supporters were handed out death sentences for the attempted murder and murder of police officers during the riots in the city of Minya on August 14. A court will issue its verdict in the trial of Mohammed Badie, Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, and 700 others who face similar charges on April 28.
