The Giza Criminal Court sentenced three defendants to death in absentia on Monday, in the case regarding violence taking place in Imbaba, state media reported.
The files of the runaway convicts were referred to the Grand Mufti for consultation, a legal procedure required in Egyptian law to uphold or reject death sentences. They were accused of public gathering, show of force and the possession of weapons.
The court, presided over by Judge Nagy Shehata, set the issuance of the verdict for 13 December.
The violence took place in Imbaba district, located in Giza Governorate, during the fourth anniversary of the 25 January Revolution, resulting in the death of at least one person.
An upsurge in the number of death sentences has been noted following the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013. Several local and international human rights groups have criticised the frequent issuing of mass death sentences since then.
Crimes punishable by death under Egyptian law include premeditated murder, terrorism-related offences resulting in death, rape, drug possession and drug trafficking, treason, espionage, and perjury if it results in the execution of an innocent person.
Judge Nagy Shehata has presided over high-profile cases including the ‘Cabinet Clashes’, ‘Rabaa Operations Room’ and ‘Al Jazeera (Marriot Cell)’ cases.
