Egypt MP says social media activists should be 'executed'

Ahmed Refaat, a member of the communication and information committee, told Egyptian website Parlmany that social media users are "more dangerous than spies".

"They should be executed for wanting to topple the state," he said.

The Egyptian government, he added, is being too lenient on punishing activists who "incite against their country" online.

Since Morsi's overthrow, Egyptian authorities have carried out a wide-ranging campaign directed at a variety of political opponents.

Targeted are members and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, leftists, activists, human rights defenders, journalists, artists and even young people posting and sharing political statements on social networks. 

Between 40,000 and 60,000 political prisoners have been jailed in Egypt since Abdel Fattah al-Sisi came to power in a military coup.

The country has also constructed 13 new prisons to facilitate the mass detentions.