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Cairo rocked by bomb blast after Islamic militants sentenced to death Cairo rocked by bomb blast after Islamic militants sentenced to death
(about 2 hours later)
A bomb blast in central Cairo has left 12 people injured, Egypt’s official news agency reported, as a court sentenced seven Islamic militants to death over earlier terror attacks. A bomb blast in central Cairo has left 12 people injured as a court sentenced seven Islamic militants to death over earlier terror attacks, Egypt’s official news agency has reported.
Mena quoted a senior security official as saying that the explosion was caused by a home-made bomb placed in a busy district near a court house and subway station.Mena quoted a senior security official as saying that the explosion was caused by a home-made bomb placed in a busy district near a court house and subway station.
The agency quoted health ministry official Mohammed Sultan as saying there were no fatalities but that 12 people were injured.The agency quoted health ministry official Mohammed Sultan as saying there were no fatalities but that 12 people were injured.
Egypt has witnessed a series of suicide bombings, assassinations and attacks over the past year after the military overthrow of Islamist president Mohammed Morsi. Egypt has witnessed a series of suicide bombings, assassinations and attacks over the past year after the military overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.
Morsi’s ousting and a subsequent clampdown on his supporters sparked a wave of attacks by Islamic militants targeting mainly police and army.Morsi’s ousting and a subsequent clampdown on his supporters sparked a wave of attacks by Islamic militants targeting mainly police and army.
Most of the attacks were carried by al-Qaida-inspired group Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, or Champions of Jerusalem, which is based in the northern region of Sinai peninsula where the Egyptian army has been carrying out a year-long offensive. Most of the attacks were carried by al-Qaida-inspired group Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, or Champions of Jerusalem, which is based in the northern region of Sinai peninsula, where the Egyptian army has been carrying out a year-long offensive.
Earlier in the day, an Egyptian court sentenced seven convicted militants to death – all but one in absentia – over the killing of 25 soldiers last year.Earlier in the day, an Egyptian court sentenced seven convicted militants to death – all but one in absentia – over the killing of 25 soldiers last year.
The ruling focused on chief suspect Adel Ibrahim, also known as Adel Habarra, who is in custody and whom authorities said has been previously convicted in connection to bombings in the Red Sea resort of Taba in 2004, a claim his lawyers denied.The ruling focused on chief suspect Adel Ibrahim, also known as Adel Habarra, who is in custody and whom authorities said has been previously convicted in connection to bombings in the Red Sea resort of Taba in 2004, a claim his lawyers denied.
Authorities have said he is a senior member of Ansar Beit al-Maqdis. The group did not claim responsibility for the killing of the 25 soldiers.Authorities have said he is a senior member of Ansar Beit al-Maqdis. The group did not claim responsibility for the killing of the 25 soldiers.
The decision is to be reviewed by the country’s grand mufti, whose opinion is consultative. A final ruling is scheduled to be issued on 6 December.The decision is to be reviewed by the country’s grand mufti, whose opinion is consultative. A final ruling is scheduled to be issued on 6 December.
In the attack last year, militants ambushed two minibuses carrying off-duty policemen in broad daylight near the border town of Rafah, days after security forces killed hundreds of people in a crackdown on sprawling protest camps in Cairo set up by Morsi supporters.In the attack last year, militants ambushed two minibuses carrying off-duty policemen in broad daylight near the border town of Rafah, days after security forces killed hundreds of people in a crackdown on sprawling protest camps in Cairo set up by Morsi supporters.
Protests have waned amid the crackdown on Morsi supporters but there were student protests this week at many universities across the country. Security forces stormed two universities to quell demonstrations.Protests have waned amid the crackdown on Morsi supporters but there were student protests this week at many universities across the country. Security forces stormed two universities to quell demonstrations.
Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday that more than 110 students have been arrested since Saturday. It called on Egyptian authorities to release the students, saying the arrests “appear to be solely directed at the students’ peaceful exercise of the right to free assembly”. Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday that more than 110 students had been arrested since Saturday. It called on Egyptian authorities to release the students, saying the arrests “appear to be solely directed at the students’ peaceful exercise of the right to free assembly”.
“This mass arrest of students is a pre-emptive strike on free speech and free assembly,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director, in the statement. “This mass arrest of students is a pre-emptive strike on free speech and free assembly,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and north Africa director, in the statement.
Security forces have been deployed around a number of campuses, while universities have enacted new regulations to curb student activities.Security forces have been deployed around a number of campuses, while universities have enacted new regulations to curb student activities.