Sharqia Criminal Court referred on Thursday 12 defendants to the Grand Mufti to review death sentences handed to them over charges of forming a terrorist cell, Al-Bawaba News reported. The defendants are charged with forming a group affiliated to Islamic State (IS), spreading takfiri thought, as well as inciting riots and violence against state. Consulting Egypt's Grand Mufti is a procedural step adopted in all cases which involve death sentences. The Mufti's rulings are not binding, yet it is customary for the court to adopt them.