An Egyptian court upheld death sentences for a Muslim Brotherhood leader and 182 supporters on Saturday, relating to an police station attack in 2013.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/21/us-egypt-brotherhood-ruling-idUSKBN0EW0B520140621
While that is still a large number, it is down from the original 683 defendants a judge sentenced to death back in April, reports BBC News, but still includes leader Mohammed Badie. Four other defendants received prison sentences ranging from 15 to 20 years.
Sa'ed Yusef Sabri, the judge in the case is notorious in the region for doling out harsh penalties and has even earned the nickname of "The Butcher."
The ruling was called "farcical" and politically motivated. Amnesty International condemned the ruling and called it "the latest example of the Egyptian judiciary's bid to crush dissent."
Since the removal of the Muslim Brotherhood President Mohamed Mursi, there has been a tough crackdown upon supporters in the country. According to Reuters, since military chief and current president, Abdel Fattah al Sisi, seized power, hundreds of protesters have either being tossed into prison or killed.
Those not sentenced to death were acquitted, while the 183 will likely now appeal the ruling.
"The state is still insisting that the judiciary is independent," Egyptian human rights activist Gamal Eid said. "I don't know how we can believe that when we see rulings like that. It is against logic and common sense. It is a joke."