Cairo court sentences 26 in absentia to death for forming terror group

CAIRO, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- A criminal court in Cairo issued death sentences in absentia Wednesday for 26 people accused of forming a terrorist group to target ships in the Suez Canal.

The court also referred the matter to Egypt's Grand Mufti, the highest official of religious law in a Sunni or Ibadi Muslim country, for a determination on whether the offenses were punishable by death in accordance with Sharia law, Ahram Online reported.

A final sentencing hearing was scheduled for March 19.

Prosecutors already called for the death penalty for the defendants, who were accused of forming a terrorist organization targeting security headquarters and Suez Canal traffic, as well as weapons possession and manufacturing missiles, Ahram Online said.