Court seeks mufti’s opinion on death sentence for Brotherhood supreme guide, 9 others in Qalyub case

Shubra al-Kheima Criminal Court handed out preliminary death sentences to Muslim Brotherhood’s Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie, along with nine others, on charges of inciting violence and blocking the Qalyub Agricultural Road last July, state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper reported. 

On Saturday the court referred the defendants’ papers to the grand mufti, Egypt’s highest religious authority, for his opinion. A final verdict is expected on July 5.

After he was sentenced, Badie chanted against the military and the police, Al-Ahram reported.

The court is trying a total of 48 defendants in the case, including eight other leading members of the Muslim Brotherhood, such as Essam al-Erian and former Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Bassem Ouda. Among the defendants is Islamist preacher Safwat Hegazy.

Sentencing for the remaining 38 defendants is also expected on July 5.

The group is facing trial for violence that took place on July 22 in Qalyubiya in the aftermath of former President Mohamed Morsi’s removal from office by the military, following mass protests against him. The events left two dead and 35 injured.

This is the second court to hand Badie a preliminary death sentence, following the controversial Minya Criminal Court verdict last April, which sentenced him and 682 supporters and members of the Muslim Brotherhood to death for violence that occurred at the Edwa Police Station in Minya.

This case has also been sent to the grand mufti for his procedural opinion. 

The mass death sentences faced widespread condemnation internationally and from local rights organizations.