An Egyptian court sentenced eight leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwan) and Jamaat al-Islamiyya to death, sparking outrage from rights groups and the Ikhwan's political wing.

The sentences stem from violence that erupted in the Manassa area near Rabia Square in 2013, following the military overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi.

Mithat Haddad, a prominent figure within the Ikhwan's Shura Council, vehemently condemned the sentences as blatantly "political." He accused the court of acting at the behest of the "coupist Sisi regime," highlighting the lack of accountability for security forces responsible for the deaths of protesters who opposed the coup.  Haddad pointed out the tragic events of 2013, where over 120 protesters were killed near Rabia Square, a stark contrast to the harsh sentences handed down to opposition leaders.

The eight individuals sentenced to death include Dr. Mohamed Bedii, a revered scientist with a distinguished career. Medical professionals, engineers, and religious scholars were also included in the group facing execution.  Haddad emphasized their contributions to Egyptian society and questioned the legitimacy of such severe punishments.

Among those sentenced to death are notable figures such as Prof. Mohammed Bedii, medical professors Mahmoud Izzat, Mohammed Biltaji, and Osama Yasin, as well as well-known Islamic preacher Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Abdulmaksud. Haddad questioned the fairness of these sentences, highlighting the absence of trials for those responsible for the deaths and injuries of protesters.

The court's decision stems from events in the Manassa area near Rabia Square in 2013, following the coup d'état by Sisi. Alongside the death sentences, the trial resulted in life imprisonment for 37 individuals, 15 years of aggravated imprisonment for six, 10 years of aggravated imprisonment for seven, and the acquittal of 21.

The protests that erupted in Rabia Square after the coup on July 3, 2013, resulted in the deaths of thousands of Muslims during the subsequent crackdown by the Sisi regime, sparking international condemnation.

The sentencing adds to concerns over the Egyptian government's treatment of political dissent and human rights abuses, with tens of thousands detained and hundreds executed in widely criticized trials.

As reactions continue to unfold, calls for justice and accountability resonate, with many urging for the release of those sentenced and a cessation of political persecution in Egypt. (ILKHA)