18 sentenced to life imprisonment over forming terror group

CAIRO – 8 November 2018: The Giza Criminal Court sentenced Thursday, Nov. 8, 18 defendants to life imprisonment, and handed down a 15-year sentence to 44 others, over forming and joining a terror group, the state-owned Akhbar al-Youm reported.

Attorney-General Nabil Sadek earlier referred the defendants, including two women, to the Criminal Court for financing terrorist attacks. The terror group formed by the defendants in Upper Egypt is believed to be affiliate to the Islamic State (IS).

The prosecution charged the defendants of establishing and leading an illegal and unconstitutional group, with the aim of obstructing the constitution and law, preventing state institutions and public authorities from performing their duties.

On Wednesday, Nov. 7, a military court in Ismailia city in north-eastern Egypt sentenced in absentia eight people, who reportedly belong to ISIS’s Sinai Province militant group, to death over targeting and killing army personnel.

The court also sentenced in absentia 32 defendants to life imprisonment, and handed two others a 15-year imprisonment, while two of the defendants were acquitted of all charges.

Egypt has witnessed numerous terror armed attacks especially on police and army personnel and facilities since the ousting of Muslim Brotherhood affiliated former President Mohamed Morsi, causing the death of dozens of security individuals.