Turkish hackers take over Egypt state-media website, condemn Muslim Brotherhood death sentences

A Turkish hacking group have taken over the website of Egypt's state-run news agency to condemn death sentences against leaders of the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood movement.

The Akincilar (Invaders) group took over the MENA agency's website on Tuesday and posted an image of Brotherhood leader Mohammed al-Baltagui, who was sentenced to death on Saturday.

"You send them to the gallows and oppress the innocent Just because they have different opinions," an Arabic-language statement posted by the group said.

"How many people innocent people are in your oppressive prisons? Do you think we will abandon their cause? Hell is the place for the oppressors," it added.

The head of MENA told local media on Tuesday that "Brotherhood hackers" were behind the breach and said he would take legal action.

The move comes days after a Cairo court upheld death sentences against 75 people, in one of the largest mass trials since the 2011 uprising.

Among the 75 defendants sentenced to death were leaders of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood such as Baltagui, Issam al-Aryan and Safwat Higazi.

Amnesty International said the sentences, linked to clashes in 2013 between security forces and supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, amounted to "a mockery of justice".

On August 14, 2013, one of the bloodiest days in Egypt's modern history, a month after the army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, police moved to disperse a sprawling Islamist protest camp at Rabaa al-Adawiya square in Cairo.

Over 1,000 people were killed within hours at that site and Nahda Square where another sit-in was being held.

Earlier this year, the Akincilar group have hacked Israeli news website The Times of Israel and posted a pro-Palestinian message.