Egypt sentences dozens of alleged Islamists in mass trial

Cairo

An Egyptian court sentenced dozens of people to life in prison or lesser jail terms on Thursday over pro-Islamist riots and church arsons following a bloody crackdown on protesters in 2013.

The court in the southern province of Sohag sentenced 22 people to life, 37 people to 15 years in prison and eight to 10 years in prison.

It also handed down jail terms to 52 defendants who were tried in absentia, and would be granted a retrial if they hand themselves in.

They were convicted of rioting and torching three churches after police killed hundreds of Islamists when they dispersed a Cairo protest camp in August 2013.

The protesters were demanding the return of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, whom the army had overthrown.