An Egyptian court has sentenced seven Egyptian Copts and one American pastor to death, despite all of the defendants living outside the court's jurisdiction. The team of eight were convicted on charges related to the anti-Islam film, 'Innocence of Muslims', which sparked chaos across the Muslim world.
The convictions were largely symbolic as none of the accused live in Egypt and will not have to face the sentences issued. Among the accused were Mark Basseley Youssef, the man behind the film and Pastor Terry Jones, known for his headline-grabbing criticism of Islam.
According to Egypt's official news agency, the defendants were found guilty of harming national unity, insulting and publicly attacking Islam and spreading false information.
The charges all related to the production of 'Innocence of Muslims', that caused outrage in Egypt. The amateurish film depicts the Prophet Muhammad a homosexual, pedophile and slave owner: all highly offensive to Muslims worldwide.
Armed mobs attacked US embassies in the Middle East in response to the film's release. In Benghazi, US Ambassador, Chris Stevens, was killed and in Cairo there were clashes between protestors and police.
