Egypt court cancels Morsi's life sentences in espionage case

The court also quashed life sentence of 15 other Muslim Brotherhood leaders.

The defendants were accused of spying with foriegn organisations, including the Palestinian military movement Hamas, funding terrorism and disclosing national security.

The court also cancelled death sentences against 16 defendants, including leaders Khyrat el-Shater, Mohamed el-Beltagy Ahmed Abdel Aty. Thirteen of the 16 were sentenced in absentia.

Last week, Egyptian court quashed the death sentences given to 65-year-old Morsi and Supreme Guide Mohammed Badie and 25 other Brotherhood leaders.

The court also cancelled life sentences for 21 others in the same case.

Last month, an Egyptian Court confirmed a 20-year prison sentence against ex-president Mohamed Morsi for taking part inciting violence near Ittihadeya presidential palace in 2012, juridical sources said.

Morsi was sentenced to life in prison in two other trials. He was convicted of spying for Iran, Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

Morsi is still in prison in other cases, including spying and handing documents of national security importance to Qatari intelligence through a news channel.

Morsi came to power after Egypt's long-time President Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in 2011.

He was toppled by the current President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi following mass street protests.