Mursi faces death in first verdict

(MENAFN- Arab News) CAIRO: Egypt's ex-President Muhammad Mursi faces being sentenced to death Tuesday on charges of inciting the killing of protesters in the first verdict against him nearly two years after his fall from power.
He also faces the death penalty in two other trials including one in which he is accused of spying for foreign powers and escaping from prison during the 2011 anti-Mubarak revolt.
Separate verdicts in those two cases are due on May 16.
A death sentence on Tuesday against Egypt's first freely elected president cannot be ruled out experts say especially since judges have already passed harsh verdicts against leaders of his blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood.
Tuesday's verdict involves a case in which Mursi and 14 other defendants seven of whom are on the run are charged with the killing of three protesters and torturing several more during clashes in front of the presidential palace on December 5 2012.
The protesters were demonstrating against a Mursi decree that put him above judicial review when they clashed with his supporters.
Defense lawyers say there is no proof Mursi incited the clashes and that most of those killed were Brotherhood members.
Even if Mursi escapes the death penalty he could still face life in jail.
Mursi's supporters were the target of a government 'witch-hunt' he added.
If a death sentence is passed it is unlikely to be carried out said H A Hellyer of the Washington-based Brookings Center for Middle East Policy.
'The execution of Mursi would represent an escalation by the Egyptian authorities that they do not appear willing to engage in' said Hellyer.
The verdict is also open to appeal.
Jihadists mainly the Egyptian affiliate of the Islamic State group have claimed attacks on security forces in retaliation for the crackdown on Mursi supporters.