Egypt upholds death sentences on Brotherhood leader, nearly 200 supporters

2014-06-21 187

Outside an Egyptian courthouse in Cairo, a man reacts to news of his brother's death sentence.

The court had just confirmed the death sentences of nearly 200 supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood as well as its leader, Mohamed Badie.

The ruling is a sign that Egypt's new president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, intends to continue a crackdown on the outlawed Islamist movement.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BROTHER OF DEFENDANT RABIE MOSTAFA WHO WAS SENTENCED TO DEATH, OMRAN MOSTAFA, SAYING:

"This is an unfair ruling, with God as my witness I swear it is unfair. May God bring forth an earthquake to obliterate the corruption in this country."

The charges stem from violence that erupted last summer following the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi, a senior Brotherhood member.

One police officer was killed in the violence.

But some 500 others were acquitted of the charges.

Relatives of those who were freed also gathered outside the courthouse, but to c