680 sentenced to death over riots in Egypt

More than 680 alleged supporters of Egypt’s ousted Islamist president have been sentenced to death.

They were convicted over acts of violence and the murder of policemen in the latest mass trial in Egypt that included the Muslim Brotherhood’s spiritual leader.

Lawyer Ahmed Hefni said outside court in the southern city of Minya today that the death sentences first have to be approved by Egypt’s mufti, the top Islamic official – a step that is usually considered a formality.

The case is linked to riots that erupted in Minya and elsewhere in Egypt after security forces violently disbanded sit-ins held by Brotherhood supporters in Cairo last August.

Hundreds were killed as part of a campaign against ousted president Mohammed Morsi’s supporters.