ZAGAZIG, Sep 12 (Aswat Masriya) – The Zagazig Criminal Court sentenced 12 defendants to death on Saturday on charges of forming an "Islamic State-affiliated terrorist cell."

The defendants are accused of forming a "terrorist cell” with the aim of “overthrowing” the government, “disrupting the provisions of the constitution” and "targeting" security personnel.

According to Homeland Security's investigation, the owner of a contracting office in Sharqiya formed a "terrorist cell" which sent young men to Syria and Iraq, where Islamic State militants are fighting for territory, to receive trainings on the use of weapons.

According to article 12 under the anti- terrorism law, death sentences will be handed to “all those who form, establish, organise, manage or lead a terrorist group”.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ratified the anti-terrorism law in August.

Militants have stepped up attacks targeting security forces in Egypt, particularly in the Sinai Peninsula, since the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in July 2013 after mass protests against his rule.