Egyptian court confirmed a death sentence handed to ousted Islamist President Morsi Tuesday June 16,2015

 

An Egyptian court confirmed a death sentence handed to ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi over a 2011 mass prison break case on June 16, 2015. 

A separate ruling upheld a life sentence for Mohamed Morsi and confirmed death sentences against 16 others over charges of conspiring with foreign groups.Mohamed Morsi, Badie and 15 others were given 25 year jail sentences - for conspiring with Palestinian group Hamas, which rules Gaza

Judge Shaaban el-Shami said the Grand Mufti, Egypt's top religious authority, had stated that the death sentence was permissible for the defendants who had been referred to him.

Wearing his blue prison suit, the bespectacled and bearded Mursi listened calmly as Shami read out the verdict in the case relating to the 2011 mass jail break, in which Mursi faced charges of killing, kidnapping and other offences.

Judge Shaaban el-Shami had earlier given Mursi a 25-year sentence in a case relating to conspiring with foreign groups.

Mohamed Morsi appeared unfazed, smiling, and waving to lawyers as other defendants chanted: "Down, down with military rule," after the verdicts, which can be appealed, were read out at the court session in the Police Academy.

The rulings mark yet another setback for leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, and increase the chances of its youth taking up arms against the authorities, breaking what the group says is a long tradition of non-violence.