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Verdict in Morsi espionage case to be announced in Cairo

Morsi is charged with treason, espionage for foreign militant groups and mass escape of Muslim Brotherhood members from prison during mass riots in January 2011

CAIRO, May 16. /TASS/. The verdict for former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi will be announced on Saturday. Morsi, who served as president from June 2012 until July 2013, is charged with treason, espionage for foreign militant groups and mass escape of Muslim Brotherhood members from prison during mass riots in January 2011.

Court proceedings on espionage charges started on February 16, 2014. Morsi and other Muslim Brotherhood members are charged with espionage for foreign militant groups with the aim of organizing terrorist attacks in the country and "divulging military secrets to another state."

They also face charges on financing terrorism, military training of activists for reaching goals put forward by Muslim Brotherhood organization, and other actions that threaten Egypt’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Prosecutors say that Morsi and his supporters passed classified information to Iran on Egypt’s defense capabilities.

The second case deals with the so-called "Mass escape" when thousands of prisoners broke out from jails during mass riots on January 25, 2011. Prosecutors say Islamists stood behind disobedience and violence during the protests.

On April 21, Cairo’s court sentenced Morsi and 12 Muslim Brotherhood members to 20 years in prison for the arrest and torture of protesters and incitement to violence in autumn 2012. However, all defendants were acquitted of murder charges which could carry a death sentence.

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