An Egyptian court sentenced 52 members of the Muslim Brotherhood to jail on Tuesday, including one life sentence, for attacking government soldiers following Mohamed Morsi's ouster, according to Capital News.
In addition to the life sentence, three others received 15-year prison sentences and the rest were given sentences ranging from 5 to 10 years. According to the Egyptian military, 12 others were previously acquitted of charges.
The verdict was delivered after two trials were held on August 24 and August 26 and came after an air strike on Tuesday that killed eight militants and injured 15 in the Sinai Peninsula, which has battled a semi insurgency since Morsi's leave.
All defendants were charged with "aggression" towards the army following Morsi's removal in July. They were also charged with shooting at and attacking the army on August 14 after a military crackdown on Morsi supporters in Cairo.
In addition, the military claimed the defendants were carrying guns and lodging petrol bombs at soldiers.
Ever since his overthrow, supporters of the former president have called for protests nationwide.
During their crackdown on Morsi supporters in the capital's Rabaa al-Adawiya and Nahda squares on August 14, the military killed hundreds of people. Government authorities have continued to target investigations into Islamists, resulting in 1,000 deaths and 2,000 arrests of Muslim Brotherhood members.
Morsi has remained in custody since his removal from the presidency. Still, Egypt has undergone a series of violent clashes between militants and security forces.
Witnesses said military helicopters bombed multiple villages around 9 a.m. south of Rafah on Tuesday, wounding four people and destroying six houses. Militants in Sinai have reportedly attacked police officials constantly in the region, in addition to residents of the area who clash with local authorities.
In August, 25 police officers were killed after being attacked by militants in Rafah.
