The Minya Criminal Court sentenced eight alleged Muslim Brotherhood members to death in a case involving violence that occurred in Samalout in Minya governorate, following the Rabaa Al-Adaweya sit-in dispersal. Another 22 defendants received prison sentences ranging from 10 to 15 years, while five were acquitted of all charges. In addition, five other defendants were given five years imprisonment, with the rest of the defendants receiving life sentences. They were all charged with participating in violence in Samalout, and the killing of two policemen, as well as storming into police stations and government buildings. Minya governorate witnessed heavy clashes between protesters and police forces after the deadly Rabaa Al-Adaweya sit-in dispersal in 2013, which left hundreds of Muslim Brotherhood supporters dead. Last year, Minya's courts witnessed a controversial verdict which saw a judge sentencing 183 alleged Muslim Brotherhood members to death. Most of the defendants were put on trial in absentia. International watchdog Human Rights Watch acknowledged that the case was "in clear violation of Egyptian and international law". The group cited Article 96 of the recently-ratified Constitution, which states that those accused of a crime are "presumed innocent until proven guilty in a fair legal trial in which the right to defend oneself is guaranteed". ENDS
