An Egyptian military court issued on Tuesday preliminary death penalties for 36 out of 48 defendants accused of bombing of churches in Alexandria and Tanta, in addition to attacking a police checkpoint inside New Valley. The preliminary death penalties will be referred to Egypt’s Grand Mufti to seek his advisory opinion regarding their sentences. The suspects were also accused of bombing two churches in Alexandria and Tanta – as well as killing and attempting to kill worshipers and security forces. The Tanta and Alexandria church attacks killed 45 people. The North Sinai-based IS-affiliated group ‘Sinai Province’ had released numerous warnings and threats of violence against Copts in Egypt, including threats to bomb churches.

Source: Egypt Independent April 11, 2018 14:03 UTC