Egyptian court converts death sentences in to life imprisonment of top Muslim Brotherhood figures.

Egyptian court converts death sentences in to life imprisonment of top Muslim Brotherhood figures.(AA).

Giza Criminal Court commuted the death sentences of several leading Muslim Brotherhood figures to life in prison on Saturday.

In June the court sentenced Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie and 13 others defendants to death on charges of inciting murder during clashes at Al-Isteqama mosque in Giza last August, following Islamist president Mohamed Morsi's ouster.

On Saturday the court downgraded the sentences of Badie, Mohamed El-Beltagi, Essam El-Erian and five other Brotherhood figures to life in prison, and upheld the death sentences of six other defendants tried in absentia, including Islamist figure Assem Abd El-Maged, who is at large.

The court had referred the case to Egypt's top cleric, the grand mufti, for religious advice after the sentences were given in June.

Under Egyptian law, all death sentences are referred to the cleric for approval. Although his decision is not binding, the court usually adopts it and issues a final verdict based on his advice. The defendants can then appeal.

In this case, the cleric initially rejected the June death sentences. The judge then sent the case back to the mufti once more to reconsider.

Hundreds of Morsi supporters were sentenced to death in recent months, mostly on charges of murder, attempted murder, initiating violence and joining a terrorist group, namely the Muslim Brotherhood which was outlawed late last year.

Badie himself has been sentenced to death in other recent convictions.