Egyptian court sentences 6 to death for violence

CAIRO (AA) – An Egyptian court sentenced six people to death on Monday for forming an armed cell and killing three people, according to the country’s official MENA news agency.

In the case, the court jailed seven other defendants to 15 years apiece, and one to three years, and acquitted 14 others.

The defendants were accused of forming an armed cell and killing three people west of the capital Cairo in the aftermath of the 2013 military ouster of democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi.

The defendants denied the charges, calling them politically driven.

Monday's verdicts are still subject to appeal.

Egyptian authorities have launched a relentless crackdown on dissent following Morsi's overthrow, killing hundreds and arresting thousands.

The jailed Morsi died unexpectedly this June, after collapsing in a courtroom.

A total of 42 people have been executed by Egyptian authorities from March 2015 through February 2019, according to unofficial estimates.

*Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara