CAIRO, Mar 28 (Aswat Masriya) - The Giza Criminal Court sentenced on Saturday four defendants accused of espionage to prison, including two Israeli officers at the Mossad who were sentenced in absentia.

The two Israeli officers were sentenced to life in prison, alongside one of the Egyptian defendants. The latter was also ordered to pay an 80 thousand Euro fine.

The fourth defendant was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay a 10 thousand Euro fine. She had been sentenced to a year in prison in January for insulting the judiciary during the trial.

The jailed defendants decried the sentences upon their issuance, eye-witnesses said.

The Supreme State Security Prosecution accused the Egyptian defendants of plotting with the two Israeli officers and providing them with "strategic" intelligence regarding Egypt's domestic situation and the performance of economic facilities.

The defendants were charged with disclosing domestic information with the purpose of "harming national interests" in exchange for money and gifts.

They are also accused of providing the Israeli Mossad with intelligence about a deal Egypt was attempting to broker with Germany regarding the acquisition of submarines.