On June 17, former Egyptian president and leader of the Muslim Brotherhood Mohammed Morsi died unexpectedly of a heart attack in court. Morsi collapsed in his cage at a hearing, shortly after speaking during his trial over alleged espionage for the Palestinian Hamas movement.

His sudden death caused a stir among rights and political circles and raised demands to re-examine the conditions of Egyptian jails as well as questions about the future of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Morsi was a prominent leader of the Freedom and Justice Party, the Brotherhood’s political arm, before he became the first elected civilian president in the wake of the January 25 Revolution in 2011. However, he only remained president for one year, following which the army, led by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (who was defense minister at the time), toppled him on July 3, 2013, following wide public protests.

Since his ouster, Morsi had been incarcerated. He has faced trial in several cases of incitement to violence, escape from prison and collaboration with foreign parties. He was sentenced to life in prison.