TheCable

An Egyptian court has handed a death sentence to Mohammed Morsi, a former president of the country, over a mass prison break in 2011.

One hundred and five supporters of Morsi were also given the same judgment on Saturday.

The court ruled that the sentencing would be referred to the Grand Mufti, the highest religious authority in Egypt, for confirmation.

Many of those sentenced were tried in absentia, including Yusuf al-Qaradawi, an influential Islamic scholar based in Qatar.

Morsi is already serving a 20-year-prison term for ordering the arrest and torture of protesters while in power.

He was deposed by the military in July 2013 following mass street protests against his rule.