Eleven sentenced to up to 88 years

CAIRO (AP):An Egyptian court has sentenced 11 alleged supporters of the country's ousted Islamist president to up to 88 years in prison on charges that include violating a protest law and assaulting police.

Five of those sentenced yesterday by a court in the southern city of Minya were tried in absentia. The case was related to demonstrations in the town of Samallout.

It is one of several cases against members of the Muslim Brotherhood group and supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi.

Egypt's military removed Morsi from power last July after mass demonstrations calling for his ouster.

Morsi supporters have staged near daily demonstrations since then, despite a sweeping crackdown by the military-backed government that has killed hundreds and detained thousands.