An Egyptian court has overturned the death sentence on former Islamist president Mohammed Mursi and has ordered a retrial.

Egypt’s Court of Cassation has overturned a death sentence against deposed Islamist President Mohammed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood and ordered a retrial.

Mursi was sentenced to death in June 2015 in connection with a mass jail break during the country’s 2011 uprising.

The first president to be democratically elected after the 2011 revolt, Mursi was overthrown in mid-2013 following mass protests against his rule.

Mursi, who was immediately arrested after his overthrew, has received lengthy jail sentences related to other charges, including two high-profile espionage cases.

Tuesday’s court ruling means he no longer faces execution.

[vuukle]