A North Cairo criminal court sentenced to death on Sunday four Islamist militants after they were convicted of forming a terrorist cell in Gharbiya's Tanta. Today's verdict comes after the Grand Mufti's non-binding recommendation approving the initial death sentences, issued by the court in July, was delivered to the court as per Egyptian law. The defendants were among 12 people convicted on charges ranging from forming a terrorist group advocating for the overthrow of the government, to planning attacks on police and army forces, possessing unlicensed weapons including scoped rifles as well as posters and publications promoting the ideas of the banned Muslim Brotherhood group. The court also sentenced two of the 12 defendants to 15 years in prison and six others to 10 years. One defendant was acquitted of all charges. The sentences can still be appealed. Of the four defendants sentenced to death, only one is in custody, with the remaining three still at large. The six defendants who received 10-year sentences are in custody, while the two sentenced to 15 years are fugitives.
