Egypt upholds life sentence against Brotherhood leader Badie

The Court of Cassation in Egypt has upheld a life sentence given to the Muslim Brotherhood’s spiritual leader Mohammed Badie, convicting him of “planning violent attacks”.

According to media reports, the appeals court issued the ruling on Saturday as Badie has already been slapped with two life sentences, which in Egypt is 25 years in prison. The ruling is final and cannot be appealed.

The court also upheld life sentences against Mahmoud Ghozlan, a Brotherhood spokesman and another leader of the party, while five-year prison terms for 14 others were also confirmed, according to lawyer Abdel Moneim Abdel Maksoud.

All the defendants had faced charges of conspiring to stir unrest during massive street protests that followed the coup in July 2013 against former President Mohammed Morsi.

SS