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A court in Libya on Monday, May 29, sentenced 23 Islamic State (IS) group militants to death after they were convicted of launching deadly attacks that killed dozens of people, including Egyptian Coptic Christians.
The court also sentenced 14 other militants to life imprisonment after they were convicted on the same charges, which included destruction of police facilities and public property.
Nine defendants were also given between three and twelve years prison sentence as five suspects were acquitted.
The Islamic State (IS) and other extremist groups exploited the chaos that engulfed Libya after the 2011 uprising that toppled and later killed longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi. They took over the coastal city of Sirte were Gadhafi was born and other cities including Derna in eastern Libya.
The militants were eventually sent out from Sirte in December 2016 by forces fighting for the former United Nations (U.N) backed Government of National Accord. Forces of east-based commander, Khalifa Hifter reclaimed Derna two years later.
Hundreds of alleged former Islamic State (IS) fighters are still awaiting trial as they remain confined in Libyan prisons.
Source: TheStreetJournal | Read More
