Nasr City Cell defendants handed lengthy prison sentences

State Security criminal court sentenced nine accused of planning terrorist attacks to life in prison on Wednesday.

Four of the other 26 defendants in the case, known as the “Nasr City Cell,” were sentenced to 10 years in a maximum security prison, while three more were sentenced to seven years.

One defendant was acquitted, three were sentenced to life in absentia, and another four were sentenced to 15 years in absentia.

Authorities first raided the apartment of a suspected terrorist cell in October 2012. The confrontation led to the death of one of the targeted individuals and the arrest of eight more.

Several more defendants have been added to the case since then, reaching 26. The defendants include leading figures in several Islamist groups, including Al-Jihad and the Salafi Jihadi movement.

The list of charges originally included attempted murder against several public figures, including at the time President Mohamed Morsi. This charge was later dropped.

The court accused the defendants of running a terrorist cell and planning attacks on military and police personnel and buildings, Christian citizens, foreign boats and diplomatic convoys, according to Al-Ahram.

The report adds that the group manufactured and stored weapons in its offices in Nasr City and in several other locations.