Egypt sentences 5 foreigners to death over drugs

CAIRO (AP) - An Egyptian court official says five foreigners including a British sailor have been sentenced to death after being convinced of drug smuggling.

The official says a court in Red Sea Province said the defendants were "an international gang" that tried to smuggle three tons of hashish into Egypt via its south-eastern coast. In addition to death sentences, the court imposed a fine of 85 million Egyptian pounds (S$15 million), according to the official.

Those convicted are a Briton, a Pakistani, and three individuals from the Republic of Seychelles.

The defendants are sailors who were arrested aboard a ship near the Red Sea coastal town of Marsa Alam.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press.

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