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Egyptian court convicts 11 members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Members of the group that supports ousted President Mohamed Morsi have been sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes of assault against soldiers in the Suez region of northeastern Germany, following a crackdown on Morsi supporters.

Members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi shout slogans against the military and the interior ministry as they make the "Rabaa" or "Four" gesture, during a protest march towards Mohandessin in Cairo August (Photo: Gisele Federicce)

Renata Giraldi*
Reporter from Agência Brasil

Brasilia – The Egyptian Military Court on Tuesday (3) sentenced 11 members of the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization that supports ousted President Mohamed Mursi, to life imprisonment. They were convicted of crimes of assault against soldiers in the Suez region, in the northeast of the country, after a crackdown against Mursi supporters. These are the first convictions of members of the movement after Mursi's removal and detention on July 3.

The trial of 64 members and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood in Suez began on the 24th. According to the court ruling, members of the movement fired shots at the military on August 14th. The Military Court also sentenced 45 members of the organization to five years in prison and acquitted eight defendants.

Since Morsi's ouster two months ago, Egyptian authorities have launched an offensive against the Muslim Brotherhood. It is estimated that more than 1.000 people have died and about 2 have been detained. The movement's supreme leader, Mohamed Badie, and several other leaders have been arrested, accused of inciting violence and murder.

*With information from the Portuguese public news agency, Lusa.

Edition: Adjutant Grace