Egyptian court sentences 17 to death for church attacks

By Sayed Fathi

CAIRO (AA) - An Egyptian court on Thursday sentenced 17 people to death for allegedly carrying out three separate terrorist attacks in 2016 and 2017, according to Egypt’s state-run MENA news agency.

“A military court in Alexandria sentenced 17 of the defendants to death, 19 to life in prison, and nine others to 15 years each behind bars,” MENA reported.

The defendants were convicted earlier on a range of charges, including staging attacks on three churches -- in Cairo, Tanta and Alexandria -- that left a total of 82 people dead.

In May of last year, Attorney-General Nabil Sadiq referred 48 people to a military tribunal for their alleged involvement in the attacks.

Thursday’s sentences can still be challenged before Egypt’s Military Supreme Court of Appeals.