(VOVworld) – An Egyptian court sentenced dozens of supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi for pro-Islamist riots and church arsons, following a bloody crackdown on protesters in 2013.

An Egyptian child stands next to a poster of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi outside Rabaah el-Adawiyah mosque, Cairo, Egypt (Photo: AP)

The court for the southern province of Sohag sentenced 22 people to life imprisonment and 45 others from 10 to 15 years in prison. 51 other defendants were convicted in absentia for rioting and torching three churches after police killed hundreds of Islamists when they dispersed a Cairo protest camp in August 2013.