SUEZ, Apr 27 (Aswat Masriya) - A military court in the seaport city of Suez sentenced four people affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood to life in prison in absentia on Monday.

The court sentenced four others who were present in the trial to 15 years. They were convicted of terrorising citizens, resisting authorities, disrupting traffic, damaging public and private property and using violence.

Charges brought against them include joining a banned organisation and arms possession during clashes near the Suez governorate building last year. 

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued on October 27, 2014 a new law which refers crimes committed against the state's public and "vital" facilities to the military judiciary.

The law was criticised by human rights organisations for expanding the jurisdiction of military tribunals on civilians. The legislation authorises armed forces personnel to cooperate with the police in securing "vital" facilities. It is valid for two years.

Egypt listed the Brotherhood as a terrorist organization in December 2013 and insists it is behind the wave of militancy which has targeted security personnel since July 2013. The Brotherhood continuously denies the accusations.