An Egyptian court sentenced 10 supporters of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood to death in absentia yesterday, but postponed sentencing of the movement's leader and other senior members on trial in the same case.

Those sentenced were convicted on charges including inciting violence and blocking a major road north of Cairo during protests after the army toppled Islamist president Mohamed Mursi last July. All 10 were assumed to be in hiding amid a state crackdown on the group since Mursi's ousting.