Egyptian authorities execute leading militant

intern

December 15, 2016 3:51 PM

Adel Habara, was convicted of involvement in killing 25 policemen in an attack in Egypt’s restive North Sinai province in 2013.

Imprisoned Islamist militant Adel Habara was executed Thursday morning, following the Cassation Court's upholding of his death sentence.

A leading Islamist militant found guilty of complicity in murdering 25 policemen three years ago was executed by hanging in Egypt on Thursday, a media report said.

Egyptian national, Adel Habara, was convicted of involvement in killing 25 policemen in an attack in Egypt’s restive North Sinai province in August 2013.

The media report said the execution was authorised by the minister of justice and the president.

The death sentence was upheld recently by the Court of Cassation after it had rejected a final appeal from Habara.

The court also confirmed life sentences on three other defendants in the same case.

Habara’s execution came a few days after six Egyptian policemen were killed in a bomb explosion that targeted their checkpoint near the famed Giza Pyramids.

The attack was claimed by little-known extremist group which called itself Hasm.

Egypt had experienced a spate of deadly attacks, mainly targeting security forces since the army’s 2013 overthrow of Islamist president, Mohammed Morsi, following mass protests against his rule.

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