Egypt drops terror charges against al-Qaida leader’s brotherOctober 15, 2015 - 16:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An Egyptian court has acquitted the younger brother of al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri of terror charges, the Associated Press reports. Mohammed al-Zawahiri was arrested at a police checkpoint in August 2013, days after security forces stormed a Cairo sit-in camp by supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, killing more than 600 people. The younger al-Zawahiri was the leader of a Jihadi Salafist group and was a close ally of Morsi, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood. He was charged with the formation and leadership of a terrorist organization and with attempting to overthrow the government by force. In its Thursday, October 15 ruling, the court sentenced 10 of al-Zawahiri's 67 co-defendants to death and handed life sentences to 32 others. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |