Updated

A court in Egypt has sentenced 28 supporters of deposed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi to life sentences in absentia, and 15 others to three years in prison, over violence during demonstrations.

The Fayoum Criminal Court issued its verdict Monday in the first trial in the oasis governorate south of Cairo over the demonstrations following the military's ouster of Morsi in July. Those charged were convicted of blocking roads and sabotage.

It is one of a series of mass trials against supporters of Morsi and his outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group. Under Egyptian law, those sentenced in absentia will have a new trial once they hand themselves in or get arrested.