DOHA — A Qatar-based Sunni Muslim group led by influential cleric Sheikh Yusef Al-Qaradawi has condemned as "politicized" an Egyptian court's decision to sentence hundreds of Islamists to death. The court on Monday imposed death sentences on 683 suspected Islamists — including Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie — amid a crackdown on supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. The Association of Muslim Scholars responded by saying it "rejects these verdicts coming from a court that takes orders from those who came to power in a military coup and govern Egypt using coercion and repression." In a statement issued late on Tuesday, the Qatar-based organization said the sentences were "politicized and considered an insult to justice" in Egypt. The Minya court in southern Egypt is set to confirm the death sentences on June 21. It reversed 492 of 529 death sentences it passed in March, commuting most of them to life imprisonment. Since the army toppled Morsi in July 2013, a crackdown targeting his supporters has left more than 1,400 people dead and 15,000 in jail. Qaradawi, who was born in Egypt and is seen as a spiritual guide to the Brotherhood, issued a fatwa urging Egyptians to support Morsi, following his overthrow. The cleric is himself wanted by Egypt's military-installed authorities and faces being tried in absentia. Qatar had close ties with Egypt during Morsi's turbulent single year in power but relations nosedived after his overthrow. The gas-rich Gulf state has given refuge to a number of Brotherhood leaders who fled the bloody crackdown that followed Morsi's ouster. Egypt has called on Qatar to respect a 1998 Arab counter-terrorism treaty and hand over Qaradawi and other wanted Islamists. Meanwhile, Badie defiantly insisted that the "coup" that toppled Morsi will be defeated. Badie made the comments about Monday's sentencing from the caged dock at another trial in which he, Morsi and others are accused of plotting attacks and prison breaks. The mass death sentences, the second in as many months, sparked global outrage, with the United States urging the government to reverse the judgement. "I did not attend this trial, and I along with 1,000 others have been condemned to death," said Badie of this week's sentencing, which took place in his absence. "The coup will end," he said. Morsi, who often tries to interrupt court proceedings with speeches, added: "this farce will end." Morsi faces three trials, all of which can lead to the death sentence. Much of the leadership of his Brotherhood movement has been arrested and placed on trial. — Agencies
