Egyptian Court Sentences 38 in Brotherhood-Linked Currency Trading Case

An Egyptian criminal court handed life sentences to 17 defendants and five-year rigorous prison terms to 21 others today in a case described as involving a Muslim Brotherhood-linked currency trading cell.

The rulings were issued by the First Terrorism Circuit, sitting in Badr, under presiding Judge Mohamed El-Saeed El-Sherbini.

The 38 defendants were divided into two groups for sentencing, with 17 receiving the heavier penalty of life imprisonment.

The available case summary did not detail the individual charges, the defendants’ alleged roles or the court’s reasoning. It also did not specify whether the defendants were present for the verdict or whether appeals would be filed.