An Egyptian judge on April 28 sentenced 683 alleged supporters of the banned Muslim Brotherhood [4] to death, including the group's supreme guide [5], Mohamed Badie [6]. The judge also confirmed [7] the death sentence of 37 of 529 Muslim Brotherhood supporters sentenced to death in March [8]. The remaining defendants sentences were commuted to life prison. Under Egyptian law the death sentence recommendations in the case of Badie and the 682 other alleged supporters will be passed to the Grand Mufti of Al Azhar, the country's leading religious official, who will provide his non-binding opinion to the presiding judge. The defendants were all accused of taking part in violence in the southern governate of Minya on Aug. 14. The guilty verdict and death sentences are still subject to appeal.
From Jurist [9], April 28. Used with permission.
