MINYA: An Egyptian court sentenced Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie and 682 alleged Islamists to death on Monday, a lawyer and prosecutor said, after two brief sessions the defence partly boycotted.

But the same court in the southern province of Minya also reversed 492 of 529 death sentences it passed in March, commuting most of those to life in prison.

The court, presided over by judge Said Youssef Sabry, had sparked an international outcry with its initial sentencing last month amid an extensive crackdown on supporters of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi.

The crackdown has extended to secular-leaning dissidents who supported Morsi’s overthrow but have since turned on the army-installed regime.

In Cairo, a court banned the April 6 youth movement that spearheaded the 2011 revolt which toppled strongman Hosni Mubarak, following a complaint accusing it of defaming Egypt and colluding with foreign parties.

In Minya, the judge is set to confirm the death sentences on June 21. Of the 683 sentenced on Monday, only 73 are in custody.—AFP