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Egyptian court sentences 21 defendants to death over joining IS-linked group

Xinhua,February 22, 2018 Adjust font size:

CAIRO, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian court sentenced on Thursday 21 defendants to death after they were convicted of joining a terror group loyal to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization.

The defendants were charged with forming and joining an IS-linked terror group that aims to obstruct state institutions from carrying out their duties and target social peace and national unity.

The Cairo criminal court has also sentenced four defendants to life in prison, while three others received 15-year imprisonment terms.

They defendants were previously accused by the public prosecutors of targeting civilians, mainly Christians, as well as police and army forces and their institutions.

Terrorism prevailed in Egypt since the military ousted former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in early July 2013 in response to mass protests against his 12-month reign and his currently outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group.

Terror attacks killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers in restive North Sinai province northeastern Cairo before they gradually extended to other provinces and started to target dozens of the Coptic minority with church bombings.

Most of the attacks were claimed by the so-called Wilayat Sinai (Sinai State or Province), a Sinai-based group affiliated with the regional IS terrorist group.

Two weeks ago, the Egyptian army started a large-scale counter-terror operation that killed scores of terrorists and arrested hundreds of terror suspects and wanted criminals were arrested.

The comprehensive anti-terror operation, dubbed "Sinai 2018," comes weeks before Egypt starts its 2018 presidential elections scheduled for late March, where incumbent President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi is expected to make an easy win for a second term due to the lack of strong contenders in the race. Enditem

 

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