CAIRO, Jun 24 (Aswat Masriya) - An Egyptian military tribunal sentenced 54 individuals in absentia to 15 years in prison for acts of violence and acquitted 33 others who attended the trial on Wednesday.

The violence dates back to July 5, 2013, two days after the ouster of former president Mohamed Mursi after mass protests against his rule. 

Muslim Brotherhood supporters allegedly attempted to storm the security directorate and diocese of Qena, in Egypt's south. Ensuing clashes left nine injured. 

Earlier this week, a military tribunal in Egypt's north-eastern city of Suez sentenced 14 people to life in absentia and two to 15 years of maximum security prison for violence in 2013. The court acquitted 24 others.   

Egypt has recently expanded the jurisdiction of military tribunals with the introduction of a new law by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in October. It expands the mandate of military jurisdiction over civilians.

The new law, valid for two years, refers crimes committed against the state's public and "vital" facilities to the military judiciary.