CAIRO, Jan 19 (Aswat Masriya) – The Mansoura Criminal Court sentenced on Monday 75 Muslim Brotherhood supporters to prison for charges relating to "terrorism" and violence, reported state-run news agency MENA.

The defendants were facing trial in 11 different court cases involving committing violence, "terrorism" and joining a banned group.

The court sent 24 defendants tried in absentia to life in prison, MENA reported. Five defendants were sentenced to 15 years, two of whom were sentenced in absentia as well. Eight defendants were sentenced to 10 years in prison, three to seven years and 33 to five years. Two defendants were also sentenced to three years in prison.

The court dropped the charges against one defendant who has died, MENA reported.

The Muslim Brotherhood has come under attack since the military ouster of its leader Mohamed Mursi from the presidency in July 2013 following mass protests against his rule. The military-installed regime has since then rounded up thousands of Brotherhood members and supporters and killed hundreds of protesters in confrontations with security forces.

An Egyptian court banned the Muslim Brotherhood in September 2013. The government listed the Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation in December 2013 and insists it is behind the stringent wave of militancy which has targeted security personnel since Mursi's ouster. The Brotherhood continuously denies the accusations.