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Egyptian court sentences 7 Islamists to death over killing policemen

Xinhua, November 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

An Egyptian court on Saturday sentenced seven Islamists to death over killing 25 policemen in the country's Sinai Peninsula in 2013, state-run MENA news agency reported.

The Cairo Criminal court delivered its verdict against the seven Islamists, including prominent militant leader Adel Habara, over the killing of dozens of policemen in North Sinai province, according to MENA.

Three more defendants were sentenced to 25 years in prison, and 22 received 15-year imprisonment terms. Three defendants were acquitted.

In August 2013, militants ambushed two buses sending recruits from their base in Rafah City to their homes for vacations. Some 25 policemen were killed and others wounded in the shooting attack.

Habara has already been sentenced to death in absentia over bomb attacks in Sinai tourist resort of Taba in 2004 and Dahab in 2006. The bombing attacks claimed the lives of 42 people.

The seven defendants are also accused of killing police personnel in the Delta governorate of Sharqiya as well as collaborating with fanatic al-Qaida group in Iraq.

Egypt has been facing a rising wave of terrorist attacks since the military ousted former Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July 2013.

The attacks have targeted security and army men as well as their premises in the restive Sinai, and then extended to hit the capital and provinces across the country. Endit