An Egyptian court has referred 529 Muslim Brotherhood defendants to the Mufti, who issues legal opinions and edicts, to approve a death sentence, Egyptian state television reports.

Those convicted are part of a group of 545 defendants on trial for the killing of a police officer, attempted killing of two others, attacking a police station and other acts of violence, Al Jazeera reported.

"The court has decided to sentence to death 529 defendants and 16 were acquitted," lawyer Ahmed al-Sharif told Reuters news agency.

The ruling can be appealed.

The trial is part of a government crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, which started after the removal of President Mohamed Morsi in July.

ANN.Az