Egypt Executes 9 People Over Kerdasa Attack

Police officers stand in front of a police station damaged after being set ablaze in August by supporters of former president Mohamed Morsi in Kerdasa (File photo: Reuters)

The Egyptian authorities executed nine men convicted of murder in the 2013 Kerdasa attack on a police station.

The nine men were among 20 defendants sentenced to death in the assault case which left 15 people dead, including 11 policemen.

According to the investigations, the convicts, most of whom are members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood group, stormed the Kerdasa police station after security forces dispersed camps of the supporters of former President Mohammed Morsi in Rabaa, Cairo, and el-Nahda in Giza.

In July 2017, the criminal court sentenced 156 defendants, including 80 to life in prison, 34 to 15 years imprisonment, and a child to 10 years in prison. It also acquitted 21 defendants, and 20 others to death by hanging.

In September 2018, the Court of Cassation upheld the sentences and the execution of 20 others.

Meanwhile, the Public Prosecution added 41 members of the Muslim Brotherhood to the terror list. In addition, six others were put on the official list of terrorists, including the group’s guide, Mohammad Badi, his deputy, Khairat al-Shater, and Rashad al-Bayoumi.

Authorities have officially classified the Brotherhood as a terrorist group in 2014, while its leaders have been imprisoned for their involvement in violence.

In addition, the parliamentary general committee approved the presidential decree to extend a state of emergency throughout the country, for a period of three months.

The committee reviewed the provisions of the decision regarding the declaration of a state of emergency, as well as the statement of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, which he delivered before the parliament, about the reasons that led to the declaration of a state of emergency.

In the end, the committee prepared a report that will be presented to the council’s plenary session on Tuesday for a vote.

The Prime Minister said in his statement that the extension comes in light of the threats and dangers in the region, adding that there are some parties planning to destabilize Egypt and target its people, capabilities, and achievements.